WO2007066136A1

WO2007066136A1 - Formulation and method

Info

Publication number: WO2007066136A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/004614
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Anthony; Ronald James Russell
Original assignee: Rok Overseas Organic Trading Limited
Priority date: 2005-12-09
Filing date: 2006-12-11
Publication date: 2007-06-14

Abstract

The invention relates to soil revitalisation compositions comprising: (a) from 8% to 35% by weight of moisture retaining material; (b) from 8% to 35% by weight of animal waste; (c) from 0.2% to 3.0 % by weight of trace elements; (d) from 0.1% to 1.0% by weight of an iron chelate; (e) from 6% to 40% by weight of one or more salts or a source thereof; and (f) a microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum. Preferably peat is used as the moisture retaining material, and poultry manure as the animal waste. Preferably from 0.2% to 1.5% by weight of the microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum is used. The material may be mixed with plant seed to produce a seed mix for infertile or depleted soil.

Description

Formulation and Method

This invention relates to a soil revitalisation formulation and to a seed mix containing same. In particular, it relates to a soil revitalisation formulation for use in depleted or infertile soil.

The process of desertification, devitalisation and erosion of sandy soils is a well-documented phenomenon. It occurs by removal of the covering layer of grass and plants which act as an insulation layer for heat and moisture, an energy capture layer, a binding structure of roots and root hairs, a focus of microbial activity and nutritional metabolism and a capture layer for insect-derived nitrogen and night-time moisture. The removal of this layer comes from drought die-back, overgrazing, overtillage, pollution, locust or other attack or disease. Once removed, the soil is exposed to the elements and erosion by action of sun, wind or flashflooding sets in. The microflora are killed off by UV exposure and lack of symbionts or ecological niches. Once this stage is reached, it is usually a point of no return in a dry climate. Only flooding from a more fertile area or some similar event can re- innoculate suitable microflora by natural means.

Nutrients alone are insufficient to promote or sustain plant growth should seeds resettle. An active microbial population is necessary to fix atmospheric nitrogen, convert inorganic nutrients to a plant accessible ionic form, to communicate with and transport nutrients to and from plant roots and to recycle organic materials within the soil. This process must be re-established in a barren or sterile soil prior to successful and sustainable plant growth.

GB 2120066 discloses a mycorrhizal seed pellet for adding a fungus to poor soil, using peat as a part of the fungus inoculum. This is directed at an inoculant for spoil tips and gravel tips.

There is thus a need for a process to revitalise sterile soil completely, using natural products in as natural a way as possible, to yield sustainable results in a few years yet permit substantial crop growth within a matter of several weeks. This can prevent erosion, raise crops and allow development of an agricultural economy and if carried out on a large scale can alter the microclimate and stimulate

biodiversity .

Complete importation of soil or turf are regularly used in areas where there is a requirement for soil-based grass cover. This, in effect imports nutrients, microflora and growing plants as a complete ecosystem which overlies the sand or barren soil. This requires heavy maintenance and is usually of limited lifespan as it is not integrated with the underlying soil and has been produced under artificial or non-native

conditions .

While many fertilizers and fertilization techniques which aim to promote growth in poor soils exist, none of these is designed to convert sand to soil or to stabilize it by natural means in a sustainable fashion. There are also some poorly defined bacterial and fungal cultures available for augmenting breakdown of organic material in regular soils but not for re-establishment of ecological activity in sterile or barren soils.

It is an object of the invention to avoid or minimise the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the invention there is provided a soil revitalisation formulation, preferably for soil formation in sand, comprising:

(a) from 8% to 35% by weight of moisture retaining material, preferably peat;

(b) from 8% to 35% by weight of animal waste,

preferably poultry manure;

(c) from 0.2% to 3.0 % by weight of trace elements;

(d) from 0.1% to 1.0% by weight of an iron chelate;

(e) from 6% to 40% by weight of one or more salts or a source thereof; and

(f) a microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum, preferably from 0.2% to 1.5% by weight of the

microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum.

The invention also provides a seed mix for infertile or depleted soil comprising:

(a) from 0.1% to 0.8% by weight of plant seed;

(b) from 0.2% to 6.0% by weight of a microbial/

mycorrhizal inoculum; and (c) from 0.2% to 6.0% by weight of the soil

revitalisation formulation according to the invention .

The mixture provides the conditions to allow soil infrastructure and ecology to be produced and

maintained. Materials such as peat and clay, where used, act as buffers and moisture retaining agents. The necessary trace elements, salts and materials, provided for sustained plant life, are provided in fast and slow release form whilst the microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum provides suitable microbial flora to allow soil formation and, for example, fix nitrogen. The inoculum replaces or supplements the microbes in the sand, where erosion, U.V. and dehydration have often sterilised the natural microbial flora.

The materials, such as peat and clay, also help bind, for example, the sand particles together whilst plant growth becomes established and helps prevent nutrients being washed away. Such nutrient leaching is a common reason for failure to sustain growth in sand.

Preferably the moisture retaining material is peat . This is advantageous as it often contains its own microbial flora, is organic and slightly acidifies what is often alkaline sand. However, other moisture retaining materials such as hydrogels, polymers and celluloses may also be used, although they do not have the same advantageous properties as peat. Examples of commercially available materials include Terrasorb™ hydrogel (Plant Healthcare Inc., Pittsburgh, PA), Zeba Quench hydrogel, and powdered seaweed, such as Afrikelp (Taurus Products Pty, South Africa) .

The animal waste is preferably poultry manure as this provides a good balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. However, other animal waste, such as composted fish waste and animal manures, or blends thereof, may be used. Preferably the animal waste, such as poultry manure, is pasteurised or sterilised to kill unwanted pathogens.

Trace elements are preferably commercially available minerals and are often known as micronutrients . These may be modified, for example, where analysis shows that there is already excessive selenium present. Trace elements typically include sources of manganese, boron, copper, molybdenum, and/or zinc

The plant seed is preferably selected from one or more of grass seed, a cereal such as barley, or clover, especially red clover. The seeds may be pretreated with activated water. This is produced by a device which produces positively charged water (+60OmV) for disinfection of the seeds, and a negative stream (- 50OmV) in which seeds are soaked for typically 3-6 hours, to accelerate germination. The germinators, known as "Ecoflo" are available from Hydrofem, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Eire.

Suitable salts include potassium chloride which may be derived from potash, and phosphates which may be derived from rock phosphate, super phosphates and/or soluble calcium phosphate.

The soil revitalisation formulation of the invention preferably additionally comprises from 2% to 14% by weight of a bulking agent, such as vermiculite; from 2% to 14% by weight of a finely divided clay; and/or from 1% to 6% by weight of soluble kelp. Preferably, all three components are used. These are all commercially available

Soluble kelp is preferably used to provide a natural source of cytokinins to aid growth of plants.

A preferred soil revitalisation formulation according to the invention comprises:

(a) 18-24% by weight fine sphagnum-based homogenised peat;

(b) 5-8% by weight vermiculite;

(c) 5-8% by weight finely divided clay (0.05mm);

(d) 8-12% by weight potash or potassium chloride

(0.05 - 0.1mm) ;

(e) 16-22% by weight rock phosphate (0.05mm);

(f) 16-22% by weight well composted and ground poultry manure (0.5-1.0 cm screen);

(g) 0.7-1.2% by weight micronutrient trace element mix;

(h) 1.0-1.8% by weight soluble calcium phosphate;

(i) 1.0 -2.0% by weight soluble kelp;

(j) 0.4-0.6% by weight iron chelate; and (k) 0.5-1.2% by weight of a microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum.

The iron chelate is preferably ethylenediamine-N,N' - bis (2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) ferric sodium complex.

A preferred seed mix according to the invention comprises :

(a) 0.15-0.2% by weight locally appropriate grass

seed;

(b) 0.002-0.007% by weight red clover seed;

(c) 0.1-0.15% by weight barley seed;

(d) 0.7 -1.2% by weight microbial/mycorrhizal

inoculum;

(e) 25-30% by weight fine sphagnum-based homogenised peat;

(f) 2.0-3.0% by weight soil revitalisation formulation according to the invention; and

(g) 60-75% by weight sand, such as locally obtained salt-free sand.

The sand may have been obtained locally from, for example, the area to be treated. It may have been washed to remove excess salt.

Preferably the microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum comprises soil microorganisms which are naturally found in soil and from part of microfauna of soil. Typically they are symbionts. The microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum may be a single species of organisms from a single genus of microbe, selected for the plant seed used. For example,

Rhizobium may be selected for clover to allow root nodule formation to take place and subsequent

nitrification of the soil. Species of fungi may be used to encourage mycorrhizal formation on the roots of plants and improve nutrient uptake by the plants.

Preferably, two or more species and/or different families of microorganisms are used. This allows, for example, a multipurpose formulation to be produced suitable for using with different seeds. Additionally, two or more different microorganisms may be used to allow a progression of different microorganisms to grow. Some microorganisms are more suited to dry, barren conditions, whilst others may only grow properly when the soil has begun to form properly. Careful selection of the microorganisms allows a progression of microorganisms to grow as the soil develops.

Such microorganisms are available from commercial organisations .

Typically the weight of the inoculum includes both the microorganisms and its supporting growth medium it is supplied with. Often this includes soil or shredded leaves or roots on which the microorganisms have been growing.

An example of a suitable commercially available inoculum is Viresco mycorrhiza, containing 11 mycorrhizal species, of which 7 are endotrophic and 4 are ectotrophic. This is available from Viresco (UK) Ltd., Thirsk, North Yorkshire, UK.

An alternative example of a commercially available additive is Mycomaxx, available from SuperGrow,

LaSaIIe, Quebec, Canada. This is stated to contain the following microorganisms:

Endomycorrhizal fungi: Glomus intraradices, G. mosseae, G. aggregatum. 20,000/lb.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi: Rhizopogon villosullus, R.

luteolus, R. amylopogon, R. fulvigleba, Pisolithus tinctorius, Scleroderma cepa and S. citrini 110 million/lb .

Trichoderma fungi: Trichoderma koningii and Trichoderma harzianum 150 million/lb.

Beneficial bacteria: Bacillus subtillus, B.

licheniformis, B. azotoformans, B megaterium B.

coagulans, B. pumlis, B. thurengiensis, B.

stearothermiphilis, Paenibacillus polymyxa, P.

gordonae, P. durum, Azotobacter polymyxa, A.

chroococcum, Sacchromyces cervisiae, Streptomyces griseues, S. lydicus, Pseudomonas aureofaceans, P.

florescence, Deinococcus erythromyxa- 6 billion/lb.

The mycorrhizal/microbial inoculum for the soil revitalisation formulation and seed mix preferably comprises one or more species selected from the following genera of microorganisms. More preferably species from at least 8 of the genera, most preferably, all of the genera are used:

Azotobacter spp.

Rhizobium

Actinomyces

Acinetobacter

Burkholderia

Pantoea

Pseudomonas

Glomus

Gigaspora

Rhizopogon

Pisolithus

Trichophyton

Streptomyces cinereus and roseus spp

Preferably species from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 of these genera are each used.

These species are preferably mixed with fresh

rhizosphere soil and peat in equal amounts.

The soil revitalisation formulation of the invention may also comprise a non-ionic surfactant preferably in an amount of 0.1 - 0.2 % by volume and/or cytokinin preferably in an amount of 0.01 - 0.02% by volume during irrigation.

Non-ionic surfactants are well-known in the art and are commercially available. Cytokinins are similarly commercially available. The seed mix according to the invention may

additionally comprise an anionic polymer such as polyacrylamide, alginate or starch preferably at a concentration of from 0.03 to 0.07% by weight.

The invention further provides a method for the revitalisation of depleted soil, the method comprising applying the soil revitalisation formulation according to the invention, and optionally the seed mix according to the invention, to the soil. Preferably the depleted soil is sand.

The soil revitalisation formulation and seed mix of the invention are designed for use as part of the following preferred protocol:

1. Selection of site.

2. Proposed crop choice.

3. Survey and sampling of soil and water.

4. Testing of samples.

5. Assessment of results.

6. Recommendations for preparations.

7. Recommendations for choice of plant species.

8. Recommendations for formulation alterations.

9. Logistics plan for materials and equipment.

10. Levelling of site and removal of stones (>10cm) .

11. Irrigation to flush salt content below 40cm root zone .

12. Application of soil revitalisation formulation according to the invention at typically 5 tonnes per hectare. 13. Application of seed mix according to the

invention (plus or minus polymer) at typically 70 tonnes per hectare.

14. Initial irrigation equivalent to 2.5cm rainfall using fine shower pattern not to disturb seeds. A surfactant is added to facilitate water loading the peat. This step activates microbial activity in converting inorganic nutrients to ionic forms. The clay and vermiculite buffer the cations and acidity preventing aluminium toxicity. Microbial activity also breaks down the organic nutrients into a botanically available form. Seed

germination will be succeeded by emergence of roots and development of mycorrhizae.

15. Repeat irrigation x3 daily for 15 days.

16. A dilute cytokinin mix is added on day 2 or day 3.

This facilitates rapid development of root hairs.

17. Reduce irrigation to x2 daily after 15 days.

18. Check root development at 15 days.

19. At 21 days the crop cover should be complete.

20. Reduce irrigation to maintain minimal moisture

levels .

21. Grow crops to completion or graze, retaining

manure on-site.

22. Repeat the seeding stage for several growing

cycles (Steps 13 - 22) .

23. Worms may be introduced at this stage (10 Kg/Ha),

24. Assess the soil against Table 1 hereinbelow and correct any deficiencies.

25. The soil is now mature enough to use for

agriculture with conventional fertilisers. TABLE Target soil composition at 3 years

The advantages of the invention are that it is based on natural processes and products. It is a complete treatment, addressing the needs of the soil firstly and indirectly the needs of the plants secondly. Most fertilizers are aimed at the plants needs and the soil status is ignored.

It is an actively metabolizing system which recreates its own ecosystem in keeping with the characteristics of the local soil. This gains impetus with time and as soon as the ground cover layer is established, the soil generation process begins.

The preparation of the area is simple and the

maintenance is simple.

The materials for the products may be sourced locally and the bulk overmix can be the barren soil/sand itself.

The mix will work on a wide range of sandy soils under a wide range of conditions.

The materials are relatively inexpensive compared with repetitive short-acting fertilizers and produce a lasting effect.

It revitalises exhausted soils and converts desert sandy soils back to vital soil. The formulation/seed mix can be applied to any site with access to moderate quality irrigation water but does not need vast amounts of it. It will be appreciated that the content of the

formulation/seed mix may be varied to suit particularly deficient soils where no fertile growth existed previously. It may also be altered to suit the needs of particular crops or desert soils at high altitude.

Fine clays occasionally create impermeable layers of soil. By altering the chemical mix and crop, it would be possible to create permeability in such layers, establish a microbial niche and convert it to a more regular soil-like quality.

The invention is illustrated in the following Example. Example

A soil revitalisation formulation according to the invention was prepared from the following ingredients:

Composition per metric tonne (used at 5 T/Ha)

(a) 220 kg fine sphagnum-based homogenised peat

(b) 70 kg vermiculite

(c) 70 kg finely divided clay (0.05mm)

(d) 100 kg potassium chloride (0.05 - 0.1mm)

(e) 200 kg rock phosphate (0.05mm)

(f) 200 kg well composted and ground poultry manure (0.5 cm screen)

(g) 10 kg trace element mix

(h) 15 kg triple super phosphate

(i) 20 kg soluble kelp

(j) 5 kg ethylenediamine-N, N'-bis (2- hydroxyphenylacetic acid) ferric sodium complex (k) 10 kg mycorrhizal/microbial inoculum

The microbial inoculum used contained the following microorganisms :

Azotobacter spp.

Rhizobium

Actinomyces

Acinetobacter

Burkholderia

Pantoea

Pseudomonas

Glomus

Gigaspora

Rhizopogon

Pisol±thus

Trichophyton

Streptomyces cinereus and roseus spp

A seed mix according to the invention was prepared from the following ingredients:

Composition per metric tonne (used at 70 T/Ha)

(a) 1.8 kg rye grass seed

(b) 0.05 kg red clover seed

(c) 1.5 kg barley seed

(d) 277 kg fine sphagnum-based homogenised peat

(e) 20 kg soil revitalisation formulation prepared in this Example (above)

(f) 700 kg salt-free sand

(g) 10 kg of mycorrhizal/microbial inoculum The microbial inoculum used contained the following microorganisms :

Azotobacter spp .

Rhizobium

Actinomyces

Acinetobacter

Burkholderia

Pantoea

Pseudomonas

Glomus

Gigaspora

Rhizopogon

Pisolithus

Trichophyton

Streptomyces cinereus and roseus spp

The seeds were soaked in electrochemically activated water for three hours prior to adding into the seed mix so as to accelerate germination and disinfect the seeds to prevent disease.

Using these formulations, the soil composition given in Table 1 stabilises sand and dust and reinvigorates depleted soils. The whole process may take 3 years to complete the reinvigoration

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A soil revitalisation formulation comprising:

(a) from 8% to 35% by weight of moisture

retaining material, most preferably peat;

(b) from 8% to 35% by weight of animal waste, most preferably poultry manure;

(c) from 0.2% to 3.0 % by weight of trace

elements;

(d) from 0.1% to 1.0% by weight of an iron

chelate;

(e) from 6% to 40% by weight of one or more salts or a source thereof; and

(f) a microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum, most preferably from 0.2% to 1.5% by weight of the

microbial/mycorrhizal inoculum.

2. A seed mix for infertile or depleted soil comprising:

(a) from 0.1% to 0.8% by weight of plant seed;

(b) from 0.2% to 6.0% by weight of a microbial

inoculum; and

(c) from 0.2% to 6.0% by weight of a soil

revitalisation formulation according to claim 1.

3. A seed mix according to claim 2, wherein the seed is grass seed, barley and/or clover.

4. A formulation or seed mix according to any preceding claim, wherein the salt is selected from one or both of potassium chloride and phosphate.

5. A formulation or seed mix according to any preceding claim, wherein the soil revitalisation formulation additionally contains from 2% to 14% by weight of a bulking agent, from 2% to 14% by weight of a finely divided clay and/or from 1% to 6% of soluble kelp .

6. A formulation or seed mix according to any preceding claim, wherein the soil revitalisation formulation comprises:

(a) 18-24% by weight fine sphagnum-based homogenised peat;

(b) 5-8% by weight vermiculite;

(c) 5-8% by weight finely divided clay ;

(d) 8-12% by weight potash or potassium chloride;

(e) 16-22% by weight rock phosphate;

(f) 16-22% by weight well composted and ground poultry manure;

(g) 0.7-1.2% by weight micronutrient trace element mix;

(h) 1.0-1.8% by weight soluble calcium phosphate;

(i) 1.0 -2.0% by weight soluble kelp;

(j) 0.4-0.6% by weight iron chelate; and

(k) 0.5-1.2% by weight of a mycorrhizal/microbial

inoculum.

7. A seed mix according to any one of claims 2 to 6, comprising:

(a) 0.15-0.2% by weight locally appropriate grass

seed;

(b) 0.002-0.007% by weight red clover seed;

(c) 0.1-0.15% by weight barley seed;

(d) 0.7 -1.2% by weight mycorrhizal/microbial

inoculum;

(e) 25-30% by weight fine sphagnum-based homogenised peat;

(f) 2.0-3.0% by weight soil revitalisation formulation according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 6; and

(g) 60-75% by weight sand, such as locally obtained salt-free sand.

8. A formulation or seed mix according to any preceding claim, wherein the microbial or mycorrhizal inoculum comprises one or more species of

microorganisms selected from the following genera:

Azotobacter spp.

Rhizobium

Actinomyces

Acinetobacter

Burkholderia

Pantoea

Pseudomonas

Glomus

Gi gaspora

Rhizopogon

Pisolithus Trichophyton

Streptomyces cinereus and roseus spp

9. A formulation or seed mix according to claim 8, comprising microorganism species from at least 8, most preferably from all of the genera listed in claim 8.

10. A formulation or seed mix according to any preceding claim, wherein the formulation comprises 0.1% to 0.2% by volume of a non-ionic surfactant and/or 0.01% to 0.02% by volume of a cytokinin.

11. A method for soil revitalisation of depleted soil comprising applying a soil revitalisation formulation according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 10, and optionally a seed mixture according to any one of claims 2 to 10, to the depleted soil.