IE35871B1 - Compost - Google Patents

Abstract

1375829 Composts based on peat FISONS Ltd 6 Dec 1971 [8 Dec 1970] 58131/70 Heading C1B A composition comprises milled peat, an alkylene oxide condensate type surface-active agent and a fertilizer ingredient; said milled peat heaving the following physical characteristics: (a) a dry weight of 0À056 to 0À08 g. per ml.; (b) a water absorption of from 5 to 10 g. per gram of dry peat solids; (c) substantially 100% of the milled peat particles passing through a sieve of 9À5 mm. aperture and 10 to 25% by weight of the particles being retained on a sieve of 6À3 mm. aperture, the peat being dried, if necessary to a water content of less than 70% by weight, based on the total weight of water and dry peat solids, before sieving; and (d) 30 to 50% by weight of the milled peat particles retained upon the 6À3 mm. aperture sieve sink in a flotation test. The peat also may have a compressibility of 1À2 : 1 to 1À5 : 1, and may be a single peat or a composite peat blend. Optional ingredients are calcium and/or magnesium carbonate to raise the pH to 6 to 7, and carriers such as sand, vermiculite and foamed synthetic resin. One or more fertilizer ingredients are used, such as the ammonium and potassium salts of phosphoric, sulphuric and nitric acids; superphosphates; potassium hydroxide or chloride; urea and slow release fertilizer compounds, e.g. ureaformaldehyde resins. Desirably the fertilizer ingredient is free from ammonium nitrate and double salts thereof such as calcium ammonium nitrate. Typical fertilizer ingredients include ammonium phosphates, ammonium sulphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulphate, superphosphates and urea formaldehyde resins. Part or all of the desired nitrogen fertilizer component may be introduced into the peat by ammoniation of the peat. Trace element metal salts are desirably present and simple metal salts such as copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, sodium molybdate and calcium tetraborate are suitable. [GB1375829A]