GB2317886A - Soil conditioner, growth promoter or plant protection medium comprising protein fibres - Google Patents

Abstract

A composition for application as a soil conditioner, growth promoter or plant protection medium to a desired locus comprises protein fibres capable of absorbing water to form a consolidated mass or felt. The fibres may be of animal wool modified, conditioned or treated to produce the required absorption properties, by means of direct treatment of the wool or by breeding.

Description

COMPOSITION COMPR1[SING PROTEXN FIBRES The present invention relates to compositions for application to a desired locus comprising protein fibres, and in particular keratinous fibres, to the use thereof in particular as a soil conditioner, growth promoter or plant protection medium, to a method for applying the composition for soil conditioning, growth promotion or plant protection purpose, and to a process for the production thereof.

It is known that protein fibres, and in particular keratinous fibres such as hair, wool, and the like, will decompose to provide supplies of nutrients for growing plants. For example, wool fibre contains approximately 14% nitrogen, 2% sulphur, 0.4% sodium, 0.1% potassium, 0.05% magnesium and other trace elements. "Shoddy", a by-product ofthe textile industry, has a long-established reputation as a slow release fertiliser. Although "shoddy" is completely biodegradable and provides the above mentioned nutrients, it is suited only to large surface area applications, for example agricultural applications, by virtue of its poor handling ability, being comprised of a low density tangle of strands.

Hence significant volumes must be applied to obtain the desired fertilising benefits.

We have unexpectedly found, however, that compositions comprising protein fibres may be provided in particularly advantageous manner adapted for convenient large or small scale application, and are capable of producing significance increases in plant growth in excess of those hitherto recognised, by virtue of and in addition to unique properties thereof.

In its broadest aspect there is provided in accordance with the present invention a composition for application to a desired locus, comprising protein fibres capable of absorbing water to form a consolidated mass or felt.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a process for the preparation of a composition as hereinbefore defined comprising obtaining protein fibres adapted for the formation of a consolidated mass or felt and compositing them in suitable manner. Preferably the process includes removing water repellent components to render protein fibre precursors with water absorbing properties.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided the use of a composition as hereinbefore defined as a soil conditioner, growth promoter or plant protection medium.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for applying a composition as hereinbefore defined to a desired locus and providing for the absorption thereby of water to form a proteinaceous decomposable consolidated mass or felt, for soil conditioning, growth promotion or plant protection purpose.

Reference herein to protein fibres is made with respect to fibres capable of decomposition to provide nutrient elements for plants and the like, having an imbricated surface whereby they are capable of consolidation or felting in unique manner to provide a coherent mass which is nevertheless highly porous.

Preferably protein fibres comprise animal wool such as sheep wool and optionally minor amounts of goat or llama wool, or wool from other sources which has been modified, conditioned or treated to produce the desired properties, either by means of breeding or direct treatment of the wool.

The fibres are preferably wool fibres but, in view of the value of wool fibres for textile applications, the fibres are preferably waste fibres such as waste wool, short virgin wool, wool contaminated with vegetable matter, recycled wool or other animal fibres not good enough to process conventionally into a textile material. The fibre length is not critical to the ability of the fibres to consolidate or mass. Preferably the fibre length distribution is selected according to desired composition properties as hereinbelow described.

Reference herein to water repellent components is made with respect to natural oils or fats, such as lanolin and the like, which may be removed suitably by means of scrubbing, washing, exchanging or contacting with a suitable absorbent such as clay and the like in known manner.

Reference herein to a desired locus is made with respect to a growth medium or plant locus in any desired application such as horticulture, agriculture and plant or tree cultivation in general.

Protein fibres as hereinbefore defined adapted for consolidation and felting are suitably short fibres adapted for handling and compositing in convenient manner, preferably in the length range of up to 5cm, more preferably comprise at least 50% by weight having an average length in the range 0.5 to 2.5 cm, and up to 50% weight which may comprise dust or fibres in excess of 2.5cm.

Optionally additional sources of protein fibres are included which are not capable of forming a consolidated mass or felt per se, but contribute to properties of such mass formed as hereinbefore defined, moreover, which may comprise water repellent in minor amount and are capable of degrading.

Preferably a composition according to the present invention comprises protein fibres in extruded or pressure moulded form. A substantially continuous or coherent consolidated mass or felt may be formed from a single extrudate or a plurality thereof, ie a plurality of extrudates may be applied in suitable manner to a desired locus whereby on absorption of water they are capable of mutual consolidation.

A composition of the invention may comprise protein fibres as hereinbefore defined in effective felting concentration in admixture with additional carriers, diluents, adjuvants, preservatives, dispersants, solvents, binders, emulsifying agents and the like. Suitable composition components are those conventionally employed in the art, and in particular being suited to the present plant and soil related applications. The composition may be obtained with use of any solvents as desired, preferably water, alcohol, mineral oil or the like, any solid carriers as desired such as kaolin, clay, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, bentonite, diatomaceous earth, Fuller's earth, silica, calcite, marble, pumice, any diluents as desired such as wood derived fresh or recycled pulp, or synthetic pulp, (composted) wood or plant derived dust, chippings or shavings, peat and the like.

The composition may be obtained with use of any binder such as a carrier as hereinbefore defined, and more preferably comprises clay which is capable of functioning as a binder to improve cation exchange and moreover as an absorbent of natural oils and fats contained or comprised in the protein fibres, whereby it provides an excellent lubricant during extrusion, providing high quality and integrity extrudates. A preferred carrier as hereinbefore defined comprises silica and/or alumina in molecular sieve or zeolite form, and is adapted in particular for the absorption and slow release of additional components, in particular nutrient components, as hereinbelow defined.

Compositions of the invention may additionally employ, in intimate or physical admixture, other known growth promoting or regulating or plant protection substances such as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, bactericides, synergistic agents and the like.

Preferably additional growth promoting agents comprise potassium and phosphorous containing compounds, whereby an ideal nitrogen/phosphorous/potassium (NPK) balance may be obtained, ideally suited for fertilising purposes. Preferably a diluent or carrier may be used to bulk out the product where desired and to control or adjust its pH, preferably to a pH in the range of 1 to 12, more preferably 5 to 8, or as otherwise desired for any given application.

A preferred composition of the invention comprises components: protein fibre 25-100% weight bactericide 0.1-5% weight carrier 0.1-50% weight inert binder 0.1-50% weight plant nutrient (P,K) 0.1-50% weight The amount of protein fibre may be selected according to the desired application. Lower amounts of protein fibre in the range 25-60% weight may be particularly suited for compositions with high pressed or moulded integrity, for example in the range 35-60%. Compositions comprising higher amounts of protein fibre may alternatively be suited for applications requiring a greater degree of soil conditioning or the like and for which integrity of moulded or compressed compositions is less critical, or in which specialised preparation processes may be employed in order to obtain the desired integrity of moulded or compressed compositions, preferably for compositions comprising protein fibre in the range 60-90% weight.

The bactericide is suited for preserving quality of the product by controlling bacterial/fungal spore growth, and rate of breakdown. The carrier suitably acts to adjust the pH to desired level, increase cation exchange, absorb and control nitrogen release - particularly ammoniacal nitrogen, and provides control of breakdown. The inert binder suitably acts to bind the components and act as extrusion lubricant as hereinbefore defined, binders comprising clay simultaneously improve cation exchange.

A composition as hereinbefore defined may comprise additional optional components as hereinbefore defined in any desired formulation such as a solution, emulsion, suspension, powder, foam, paste, granule, aerosol, capsule or other finely or coarsely divided formulation suitable as impregnate for protein fibres.

Preferably the composition is in the form of an extrudate as hereinbefore defined such as a pellet, capsule, disc, granule, film, mesh or like, obtained by pressure moulding or extruding as hereinbefore defined and as known in the art.

The composition of the invention is capable of absorbing water in an amount of from 2 to 15 times its own dry weight, preferably in the range of from 5 to 10 times its own dry weight, such as for example 8 times its own dry weight, based on protein fibres. Water absorption may be enhanced in compositions comprising additional components such as carriers and binders as hereinbefore defined.

Preferably a composition as hereinbefore defined is adapted to decompose thereby releasing protein nutrients onto its immediate locus in slow release profile. The rate and period of release may be adapted as desired by means of selecting the water absorption capacity, nature and content of additional components and the like, in known manner.

The composition comprising fibres as hereinbefore defined is suitably distributed across a locus as desired, for example spread about a plant stem and over a growing medium thereof, such as soil, compost or the like. Wetting of the composition has the effect of consolidating it, whereby the mass of fibres retains moisture most effectively, but in dry weather, skins over due to the felting effect of the fibres to produce a consolidated mass which is relatively hard to the touch. This prevents the fibres from blowing away yet still allows water to penetrate.

As hereinbefore defined the compositions of the invention are ideally suited for a number of purposes. Accordingly the method preferably comprises providing a consolidated mass or felt of fibres as hereinbefore defined by means of applying protein fibres above or in the surface layer of a growth medium, thereby providing the advantages characteristically obtained with one or more of a mulch, fertilizer or balanced plant nutrient, soil conditioner, slow release agent, plant protection agent and the like. The benefits of the method of the present invention in respect of providing a mulch are particularly notable, in view of the excellent water absorbing and retention, light shield, temperature moderation, weed and stray seed growth inhibition properties, but with minimum compaction, in addition to the ability thereof to provide a coherent surface covering without dusting or disintegration in dry weather, whereby the mulch remains effective through successive weather cycles.

A further advantage of the method of the invention is the effectiveness thereof with relatively low amounts of protein fibre as hereinbefore defined. This enables application in a thin surface layer which is particularly economical yet effective.

The protein fibres as hereinbefore defined may be applied above and/or in the surface layer of a growth medium as hereinbefore defined. Suitably the application within the surface layer affords slow release fertilising and plant nutrient properties, in addition excellent soil conditioning for a prolonged period.

Wetting of fibres may be carried out simultaneously with the application thereof to a desired locus, or in regions of high or intense rainfall or humidity may occur by natural means. It is a particular advantage of the invention that the application of protein fibres in the form of extrudates as hereinbefore defined enables the retention thereof at a desired locus by virtue of their dense mass, without the need for immediate wetting or blending into the surface layer of the growth medium or locus. This is of particular advantage in any applications enabling substantial labour saving.

In a preferred aspect of the invention the method comprises applying protein fibres to a desired locus of confined area, such as in domestic or horticultural application to a plant pot or hanging basket or the like. The application of protein fibres as hereinbefore defined as a "pot topper" is of particular use in containerised plant stock production and the like. Further examples of horticultural applications include the application of the protein fibres in tree planting or forestry as a mulch around shrubs, plants, young trees and the like, optionally applied inside a tubular tree shelter for growing young tress to seal the bottom of the tree shelter and prevent weed growth inside the tube as well as supplying nutrition to the tree.

A particular advantage of the method of the invention is provided by the inherent slow release properties obtained with the application of protein fibres as hereinbefore defined, whereby a deleterious up-front surge of NH2 is avoided, this by virtue of the inherent natural degradation of the fibres. Whilst it may be desired to apply compost in addition to the protein fibres of the invention, the amount thereof is significantly reduced whereby NH2- surge from the compost will also be minimised.

The method of the invention whereby protein fibres are applied as a soil conditioner is of particular advantage, the fibres providing a resilient shielding layer which prevents shrinkage or compaction of soil or compost during rain, watering or drought, thereby allowing optimum uptake of water and nutrients.

By virtue of the fibrous, absorbent texture, which becomes gradually incorporated into the growth medium the protein fibres act as a long lasting natural soil conditioner.

The application of protein fibre in the form of pellets as hereinbefore defined to the surface of a growth medium as a locus, may be carried out in any desired amount or concentration, and is preferably carried out in an amount of 0.05-5 litres per square metre, more preferably 0.1-2 litres per square metre, most preferably 0.25-0.5 2 metres (100-200g) per square metre.

The application of protein fibre in the form of pellets as hereinbefore defined, combined with a growth medium, for example as a texture, fertility and absorbency improver in composts or growing medium, as a locus, may be carried out in any desired amount or concentration, and is preferably carried out in an amount of 0.5-200 litres per 100 litres of a media, more preferably 1-20 litres, per 100 litres of media, more preferably 2.5-10 litres (2.5-10%) per 100 litres of media.

The application of protein fibre in the form of pellets as hereinbefore defined as a ground cover mulch and sustained soil fertility enhancer, may be carried out in any desired amount or concentration, and is preferably carried out in an amount of 2-400 litres per square metre, more preferably 4-80 litres per square metre, most preferably 10-20 litres (1-2cm thick) per square metre.

Amounts and rates of addition as hereinbefore defined may be selected as desired with reference to techniques commonly employed in the art.

The process for the manufacture of a composition as hereinbefore defined preferably comprises introducing protein fibre into a suitable pressure moulding or extrusion means and applying pressure, elevated temperature, lubricants, solvents and the like as desired for a suitable period to obtain the desired composition extrudate.

Preferably, lubricants, solvents and the like are applied prior to the application of pressure, however may be applied simultaneously.

The density, compaction and like properties of the extrudate may be selected with reference to known techniques. Preferably the density and compaction may be increased by increasing the proportion of protein dust present in the protein fibre employed. This is of advantage in the preparation of composition for long term storage, prolonged effect and release properties and the like.

Preferably the natural fibre is blended in a pre-mix with optional additional components as hereinbefore defined prior to extrusion thereof. More preferably a pre-mix comprises any components as hereinbefore defined for the composition, for example binders, carriers, preservatives such as fungicides and the like, and is optionally subsequently mixed with additional components providing further soil or plant treatment properties as hereinbefore defined, prior to extrusion thereof. A pre-mix is suitably blended as desired to improve integrity and coherence of the extrudate. Relative amounts of components to be employed in the manufacture of the composition may be selected as desired with respect to properties of density and compaction, water absorption ability, rate of degradation, pH and the like. Most preferably protein fibre is mixed in a ribbon blender or paddle mixer prior to extrusion thereof to obtain a substantially uniform mixture.

The components mixed as hereinbefore defined are preferably introduced in constant flow to a pelleting machine or other suitable extrusion apparatus, using forced feed into a pelleting dye. A conventional pelletiser suitably operates on the Archimedes screw principle. The size, shape and configuration of die and notably the length thereof may be selected as desired to determine the compaction and density of the extrudate. The extrusion is carried out at elevated temperature, thereafter the extrudate is cooled and may suitably be introduced into a storage or container facility, preferably is collected in ventilated bags. Size and dimensions of extrudates may be selected as hereinbefore defined, however pellets are preferably lmm-35mm, more preferably 2mm-30mm, most preferably 2mm-25mm in diameter and lmm20mm long, more preferably 2mm-15mm long, most preferably l0mm long.

Addition of water and/or fillers prior to or during the extrusion process enables further control of the density and compaction of the extrudates. Preferably density of the extrudate is in the range of 0.054g per cm3, more preferably 0.1- 1 g per cm3, most preferably 0.25-0.4 g per cm3. For domestic horticultural application it is most advantageous to prepare smaller more dense pellets, whereas larger less dense pellets may be suitable for forestry and agricultural application. Accordingly the fibres may be employed dry or with the incorporation of 5-30% by weight water, for example 10-20% by weight of water.

The invention is now described in non-limiting manner with reference to the following examples.

Example 1 Preparation of a composition of the invention.

A pre-mix may comprise components in any quantities as desired, however the following was prepared as example thereof: Bactericide comprising Acticide 5% wt Carrier comprising Glauconite (natural silica/alumina) 60% wt Inert binder comprising Spalbondd (montmorillonite/bentonite) 35% wt The pre-mix was then combined in an amount of 1-5% wt with rock phosphate (slow release phosphate) and potash from natural sources and mixed in a ribbon blender.

The pre-mix with added nutrient was combined in an amount of 20% w/w with protein fibre in the form of fibre and dust in the range up to 2.5cm length and comprising greater than or equal to 50% wlw of washed and scoured sheep's wool waste in an amount of 80% w/w. The combination was thoroughly mixed and introduced in constant flow to an annular ring die pelletiser (Simon Barron) using forced feed into a pelleting die to produce pellets of dimensions 3-6 mm in diameter and 5-1 0mm long. The pellets were cooled and collected as hereinbefore defined.

The pellets had a pH of 6-8, depending on formulation, and were obtained in varying hardness as a function of water and/or fillers content during the pelleting process for a given die form.

Example 2 Growth promotion effect of composition of the invention.

Wool fertiliser pellets produced according to Example 1 were evaluated as an adjunct to standard Fisons F1 compost in the growing on of geraniums.

Geranium plants were potted into 15cm diameter pots (1.8 litres) containing standard Fisons F 1 compost. Samples were tested in which the fibres had been mixed with the compost as well as those in which the fibres in a pelletised form were placed as a layer approximately 1 5mm deep on the surface of the compost and wetted to consolidate them, in accordance with the invention. The plant weights at harvest are shown in Table 1.

TREATMENT FRESH WEIGHT (g) DRY WEIGHT (g) 0% Wool 828 191 5% Wool 1207 225 15% Wool 1360 229 25% Wool 1145 194 Mulch 1798 289 As can be seen from Table 1 above, there is a much greater effect from using the wool fertiliser pellets as a mulch rather than incorporating the pelleted fibres into the compost. The increase in fresh weight of the plants tested was 117% over using no fibre and the dry weight increase was 51.3%. An estimate of the ratio between wool fertiliser pellets used and the compost was approximately 1 to 4.5, equating to 22% by volume.

In a further trial growing petunia, the fresh weight of plants tested using no pellets in accordance with the invention was 65 grams whereas using pellets in accordance with the invention as a mulch produced a fresh weight of 354 grams.

The method of the invention provides an unexpectedly high yield of plant growth, greater than would be expected from the known properties of the fibres themselves. Moreover, the permanence of the consolidated mass or felted mulch of the invention ensures that it is not easily dispersed by wind, etc., and is available to enhance growth through to harvesting the crop. The mulch is also very effective at inhibiting weed growth.

Example 3 Growth promotion effect of composition of the invention.

Wool pellets according to Example 1 were readily mixed with compost, and easily applied to pot/container grown plants.

Such mixtures were trialled in the growing-on of pelargoniums ('geraniums'), producing obvious increases in growth. Both fresh and dry weighings confirmed clear gains in plant substance as a result of blending wool pellets in the compost mixture. The best results were again attained however by applying pellets as a surface mulch. Fresh plant weight was more than doubled by the addition of wool in this form. The results are shown in Table 2.

Table 2 The benefits of the invention are clearly apparent in all manner of applications, notably increase in crop yield, growth, rate of growth and maturity, reduction in watering frequency, in some cases reducing frequency by a factor of 3 and the like. Further advantages with respect to the nature and form of the composition are apparent from the foregoing.

Claims (22)

1. Composition for application as a soil conditioner, growth promoter or plant protection medium to a desired locus comprising protein fibres capable of absorbing water to form a consolidated mass or felt.

2. Composition as claimed in Claim 1 wherein fibres are capable of decomposition to provide nutrient elements for plants and the like, having an imbricated surface whereby they are capable of consolidation or felting to provide a coherent mass which is highly porous.

3. Composition as claimed in any of Claims 1 and 2 wherein protein fibres comprise animal wool selected from sheep wool, goat or llama wool, and wool from other sources which has been modified, conditioned or treated to produce the desired properties, either by means or breeding or direct treatment of the wool.

4. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the fibres are waste fibres selected from waste wool, short virgin wool, wool contaminated with vegetable matter, recycled wool or low grade animal fibres.

5. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein protein fibres are free from water repellent components, thereby having water absorbing properties.

6. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein fibres are in length range of up to 5cm, particularly comprise at least 50% by weight having an average length 0.5cm to 2.5cm and up to 50% by weight comprising dust or fibres in excess of 2.5cm.

7. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 which comprises protein fibres in extruded or pressure moulded form.

8. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 which comprises protein fibres in effective felting concentration in admixture with additional carriers, diluents, adjuvants, preservatives, dispersants, solvents, binders, emulsifying agents, growth promoting or regulating or plant protection substances and the like.

9. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 which comprises protein fibre in effective felting concentration in an amount of 25-100% weight, particularly 25-60% weight or 60-90% weight.

10. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 comprising additional optional components in a formulation as suitable impregnate for protein fibres.

11. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10 in the form of an extrudate selected from a pellet, capsule, disc, granule, film, mesh or the like obtained by pressure moulding or extruding.

12. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 which is capable of absorbing water in an amount of from 2 to 15 times its own dry weight, preferably in the range of from 5 to 10 times its own dry weight.

13. Composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12 which is adapted to decompose thereby releasing protein nutrients onto its immediate locus in slow release profile.

14. Process for the preparation of a composition as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 13 comprising obtaining protein fibres adapted for the formulation of a consolidated mass or felt and compositing them, optionally additionally removing water repellent components to render protein fibre precursors with water absorbing properties.

15. Process as claimed in Claim 14 which additionally comprises introducing protein fibres into a suitable pressure moulding or extrusion means and applying pressure, elevated temperature, lubricants, solvents and the like for a suitable period to obtain the desired composition extrudate.

16. Process as claimed in Claim 15 wherein density, compaction and like properties of extrudate may be selected by selection of amount of protein dust present in protein fibre employed, by blending components as a premix, and by addition of water and/or fillers prior to or during extrusion.

17. Method for applying a composition as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 13 to a desired locus and providing for the absorption thereby of water to form a proteinaceous decomposable consolidated mass or felt, for soil conditioning, growth promotion or plant protection purposes.

18. Method as claimed in Claim 17 which comprises applying protein fibres above or in the surface layer of a growth medium.

19. Method as claimed in any of one of Claims 17 and 18 wherein wetting of fibres is carried out, simultaneously with application thereof to a desired locus, or thereafter.

20. Method as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 19 which comprises applying fibres to a desired locus of confined area as a "pot topper" in containerised plant stock production, or as a mulch around shrubs, plants, young trees and the like inside a tubular tree shelter.

21. Protein fibre for use in the preparation of a composition or in a method as hereinbefore defined in any one of Claims 1 to 20.

22. A composition or method as hereinbefore defined in the description and examples.