WO2012063091A1

WO2012063091A1 - Organomineral fertilizer containing aluminium

Info

Publication number: WO2012063091A1
Application number: PCT/HR2010/000038
Authority: WO
Inventors: Drago ĊOSIĊ
Original assignee: Corbrevis Ltd.
Priority date: 2010-11-10
Filing date: 2010-11-10
Publication date: 2012-05-18

Abstract

Fertilizer with a natural organic base comprising the following components: a) at least one organic fertilizer selected from the group comprised of stable manure, compost and peat, or any combination of the listed fertilizers; b) at least one calcium mineral fertilizer selected from the group comprised of quick lime with up to 70% calcium oxide, slaked lime with up to 60% calcium oxide, dolomite; c) powdered aluminium; in which the said fertilizer is in the form of pellets; the pH of the said fertilizer is alkaline; and in which the moisture content of the said fertilizer is reduced to 10-14% by weight.

Description

ORGANOMINERAL FERTILIZER CONTAINING ALUMINIUM

Present invention discloses a new fertiliser based on natural organic fertiliser and it is classified according to the International Patent Classification into subclass C07F— Fertilisers and the methods of their use— i.e. in the class of organic fertilisers that are not covered in prior classes and that are based on natural organic fertilisers made from human and/or animal excrements such as manure.

The food market is of particular global interest. To ensure the optimal production and sale of food, i.e. to ensure sufficient quantities of food in the long term, soil requires amelioration and its fertility improved with the aim of increasing yields in the production of healthy food. In this regard, organic fertilisers in granulate form are used extensively and are simple to transport and use. Animal husbandry produces large quantities of organic waste rich in nutritive substances that can be used in place of mineral fertilisers. We can, therefore, freely say that organic fertilisers and other waste products contain valuable crop nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) that, while essential to crop growth, are also a potential source of pollution. Most of the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) found in cattle feed are excreted in faeces and urine. Slurry, a mix of urine and faeces, or solid manure contain useful quantities of these plant nutrients (although not as much as mineral fertilisers do), and other macronutrients, such as sulphur (S), magnesium (Mg) and trace elements (micronutrients).

For long-term agricultural production sustainability and as a result of the exponential growth of the global human population, and in regard to soil exhaustion through artificial fertilization, alternative methods of agricultural husbandry are being applied with growing frequency. There are now several approaches to addressing the issue of dropping yields and growing soil treatment with substances that only further exhaust the soil. New approaches to agricultural production are described below.

Organic farming

The term "organic," like "biological," indicates farming that, rather than inorganic materials (mineral fertilisers and pesticides), uses the products of living nature (stable manure and plant extracts, for example). Some mineral materials, such as lime, dolomite, gneiss, basalt, phosphate and volcanic stone are used, which does not justify the use of term "organic." The term is more indicative of the fact that there is a closed cycle in this type of husbandry, an "organism" or sorts in regard to the circulation of organic substances, nutrients and energy.

Natural farming

This term is used to underline that it is for the most part "unnatural" to:

- use anything that leads to an emphasised imbalance in the ecological system;

- use natural substances in a way and in quantities that have a destructive effect on the ecological system;

- use substances not otherwise present in a natural environment (e.g. synthetic pesticides).

The term originates in Japan, and is based on the idea that man has no right to meddle in nature, which is an entirely passive approach. Man is in this situation only an observer, as there is no soil tilling, fertilisation or use of pesticides. The results of this type of production are questionable and uncertain.

Self-sustaining farming

This refers to agricultural production capable of long-term ecological and economic sustainability (measured in decades and centuries). This pertains in particular to soil, which has to maintain about the same level of fertility, structure, humus content and the like. The principle, therefore, is to produce in a fashion that the economic benefit is not gained at the expense of future generations. The concept of (self-)sustaining farming is part of a generally accepted, broader concept of sustainable development (Agenda 21— A Programme for Change, adopted by the UN Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992).

It is difficult to maintain "sustainable" production nowadays, and it is more practical to talk of the level (percentage) of the sustainability of individual agricultural systems and the methods of their management. Integral management and ecologically acceptable agricultural production

These are also ambiguous terms. They refer to production that makes more rational and qualified use of pesticides and mineral fertilisers. It cannot be deemed organic production, but is a first step forward in relation to conventional agriculture. The difference between integral and ecologically acceptable agriculture is that ecological farming endeavours to completely prevent the introduction of agrochemicals into the agro-ecosystem, while integral farming only minimises and rationalises their use.

Present invention, based on this division, has attributes of self-sustaining farming, but despite this falls into the group of ecologically acceptable agricultural production.

There are various groupings of fertilisers. One of the most common is a division into organic and mineral fertilisers. Organic fertilisers are evaluated by the quantity of organic substances they contain as all the nutrients are bound in organic form that has to be broken down by the activity of microorganisms. It is worth noting that organic fertilisers contain small quantities of active substances, but despite this play an important role in improving the structure of soil, on the water and air regime, on the thermal properties of the soil, and on the biological characteristics of the soil in general. The most frequently used organic fertilisers are stable manure, compost, peat and various combinations of these fertilisers. It is a generally known fact that natural organic fertilisers act on plant growth in a number of ways.

Above all, organic substances provide:

a) carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis, and

b) a share of the required mineral nutrients (N, P, K and others).

On the other hand, natural organic fertiliser increases the resistance of plants to some bacterial diseases as it contains small quantities of antibiotics such as streptomycin and terramycin that are absorbed by plants.

Stable manure/compost is the most important and oldest organic fertiliser, consisting of the excrement and urine of domestic animals and small quantities of straw. As a result of its phytotoxicity, fresh stable manure must be carefully deposited on a dungheap and left to ferment for at least six months. The maturation of compost is longer, and compost itself may contain various household organic waste products, including stable manure.

In general, it can be said of stable manure/compost that it is a nitrogen, or potassium fertiliser, and less so a phosphate fertiliser. Mature stable manure/compost contains various nutrients depending on the type of animal, the type of other organic refuse added to a compost heap, and the method of preparation.

Swine manure, for example, contains more phosphorus that cattle manure, while poultry manure, especially that of chickens, contains significantly more nutrients than other types as a result of the large dry matter content, so that the concentration of nitrogen in chicken manure is up to five times greater than in the stable manure produced by other animals. There are certainly also small quantities of micronutrients present in stable manure/compost. Stable manure is, then, a mixture of faeces, urine and bedding. Stable slurry is a mixture of faeces, urine and water. In addition to hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, the most abundant elements in faeces are nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and potassium.

Various gases are formed by the decomposition of manure (ammoniac, hydrogen sulphide, indole). Solid manure does not pollute soil. There are various biochemical reactions that occur in manure (rotting, mineralisation, humification, etc.). Slaked lime and nitrogen lime are added to manure in a ratio of 30 kg/m³, to control and manage the decomposition process due to the biochemical reactions and to control and manage the decomposition process.

Composting is the aerobic, thermophilic decomposition of material that produces humus. Substrates for composting are household refuse, municipal waste, cornstalks, peat, farmyard sty bedding and the like. The substrate, i.e. compost, may also contain stable manure. The substrate is layered in heaps on the ground, in chambers or in tunnels. Ground lime or raw phosphate is frequently added during composting to reduce acidity. Every layer is soaked when composting dry material. The composting process lasts at least eight weeks (two months), of which the anaerobic phase lasts five weeks.

The ratio of carbon and nitrogen, aeration, humidity, acidity and temperature are important to the composting process. The optimal values are a 30:1 ratio of carbon and nitrogen substances, 55 percent humidity, 15 to 18 percent substrate aeration and a pH level between 6 and 8.

Solid manure does not pollute soil. Slurry (liquid manure) sprayed as an artificial rain may pollute groundwater (pathogenic microorganisms!) and cause soil degradation (the development of rotting processes).

Integral management and ecologically acceptable agricultural production refers to production that makes more rational and qualified use of pesticides and mineral fertilisers. It cannot be deemed eco-production, but is the first step forward in relation to conventional agriculture. The difference between integral and ecological agriculture is that ecological farming endeavours to completely prevent the introduction of agrochemicals into the agro-ecosystem, while integral farming only minimises and rationalises their use.

The use of stable manure/compost in agricultural cultivation is the most economical and most acceptable to the environment, and entirely natural. Good and proper storage and use of stable manure/compost reduces the need to use mineral fertilisers on agricultural land. Attention should be paid to the quantity of stable manure/compost added to agricultural land to reduce the level of surface and groundwater contamination to a minimum. Stable manure/compost contains important secondary nutrients and micronutrients and is irreplaceable in agricultural production. Stable manure/compost is a valuable agricultural product. It should be used to the benefit of plant production to supplement the fertility and structure of soil with minimum loss. This is when stable manure management will be favourable to the environment.

As much as 2 to 30 percent of the nitrogen content can be lost when applying natural organic fertiliser to soil, and large quantities of nitrogen are lost in conditions of elevated temperature and wind. Superphosphates are added to natural organic fertiliser on a daily basis to reduce the loss of nutrients, nitrogen above all.

This invention solves the issue of nutrient loss, nitrogen in particular, from natural organic fertiliser by adding powdered aluminium and lime (slaked or quicklime) to natural organic fertiliser. The mixture of natural organic fertiliser, aluminium and lime is pelletized in order to facilitate application of this fertiliser product under the root of the plant. Pelletizing also creates another key advantage of this invention. It allows the plant to extract nutrients directly from the pellet when its roots have grown strong enough to do so. The pellets of this invention are durable, do not decompose underground and do not lose nutrients until the plant's roots penetrate them and begin extracting nutrients. A reaction occurs within the pellet between the aluminium and lime that creates hydrogen, which bonds nitrogen to itself, converting into ammonia that remains within the pellet thus significantly reducing the loss of nitrogen from natural organic fertiliser. Pelletizing is done with the aid of standard biomass pelleting machines such as those produced by AMANDUS KAHL Gmbh & Co. KG, Dieselstasse 5-9, D-21465 Reinbek / Hamburg.

In order to improve the quality of natural organic fertiliser, this invention allows for the addition of one or several mineral fertilisers to this mixture under the condition that there is enough of the natural organic fertiliser to carry out its function in the plant and soil and that the quantity of mineral fertilisers present does not have a negative effect on the soil and the long-term sustainability of the production of an individual plant culture. Humic acids are organic acids present in natural organic fertiliser able to break off hydrogen ions (H+) and bond them to strong bases. This creates salts, i.e. humates, one of the most important components of natural organic fertiliser. Based on this invention, the fertiliser improves the quality of organic natural fertiliser by additional hydrogen separation.

The fertiliser pellets, therefore, based on this invention are adjusted to make use of all of the natural characteristics of natural organic fertiliser and to provide a major contribution to its speedier decomposition. In other words, it augments the ability to feed the plant root.

In this invention, hydrogen is created in the fertiliser as a result of the following chemical reactions:

C + 2H₂0 + CaO = CaC0₃ + 2H₂

2A1 + 3Ca(OH)₂ = 3CaOxAl₂0₃ + 3H₂

2A1 + Ca(OH)₂ + 6H₂0 = Ca(Al(OH)₄)₂ + 3H₂

The last reaction pertains to hydrated lime created when lime is exposed to humidity. To ensure the unambiguous meaning of the terms that shall be used hereinafter it should be noted that mineral fertilisers are divided into the following groups:

a) phosphorus fertilisers;

b) nitrogen fertilisers;

c) potassium fertilisers;

d) calcium fertilisers;

e) magnesium fertilisers;

f) sulphur fertilisers;

g) microfertilisers;

h) other mineral fertilisers.

The term sulphur fertilisers, as used in this patent application, includes magnesium sulphate and calcium sulphate.

The fertiliser according to this invention comprises:

a) at least one organic fertiliser selected from a group made up of stable manure, compost and peat or any combination of listed fertilisers;

b) at least one calcium mineral fertiliser selected from a group made up of quicklime with up to 70% calcium oxide by weight, slaked lime with up to 60% calcium oxide and dolomite by weight; and

c) powdered aluminium;

where the said fertiliser is in pellet form; the pH value of the fertiliser is alkaline; and where the moisture content of the said fertiliser does not exceed 10 to 14 percent by weight.

The fertiliser according to the present invention can further comprise at least one mineral fertiliser selected from phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur, potassium fertilisers or microfertilisers, or any mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned mineral fertilizers.

Phosphorus fertiliser present in natural organic fertiliser according to the present invention may be phosphorus acid, phosphorus pentoxide, superphosphate, triple superphosphate, Thomas phosphate, microphos or any combination of two or more of the above-mentioned phosphorus fertilisers. Nitrogen mineral fertiliser present in natural organic fertiliser according to the present invention may be selected from a group made up of amide nitrogen fertiliser and/or nitrate nitrogen fertilizer.

Potassium mineral fertilizer present in natural organic fertiliser according to the present invention may be selected from a group consisting of potassium chloride that contains up to 60% potassium oxide by weight, potassium sulphate that contains up to 50% potassium oxide by weight, potassium and magnesium sulphate - patentkali.

The fertiliser according to the present invention may also comprise at least one sulphur mineral fertiliser selected from a group consisting of ammonium sulphate, ammonium sulphate nitrate, potassium sulphate, potassium magnesium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, aluminium sulphate and calcium sulphate.

Likewise, according to the one embodiment of the invention, natural organic fertiliser may contain at least one microfertiliser selected from a group made up of iron sulphate, iron chelate, zinc sulphate, zinc chelate, copper sulphate, copper chelate, borax, boric acid, solubor, sodium molybdate and ammonium molybdate.

All of the cited mineral fertilizers may be present in natural organic fertiliser according to the present invention independently or in combination with one or more of the cited mineral fertilisers. Phosphorus fertiliser may, for example, be the only mineral fertiliser added to natural organic fertiliser, but it may also be present in combination with one or more other mineral fertilisers such as nitrogen, potassium, sulphur and/or microfertiliser. The same is valid for any other mineral fertiliser. Nitrogen fertiliser may, for example, be the only mineral fertiliser added to natural organic fertiliser, but it may also be present in combination with one or more other mineral fertilisers such as phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and/or microfertiliser. The type and quantity of mineral fertiliser to be added to natural organic fertiliser depends above all on the type of soil and the culture that is to be grown on a given soil. If, for example, it is grape vine, then at least phosphorus fertiliser must be added to the natural organic fertiliser, and nitrogen fertiliser in particular regardless of the soil type. In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the fertiliser comprises stable manure and/or compost.

In even more advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the fertiliser comprises superphosphate and/or phosphorus pentoxide as a mineral fertiliser added to improve its quality.

In other advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the fertiliser also comprises nitrogen fertiliser in the form or urea and/or Norwegian saltpetre.

In further advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the natural organic fertiliser comprises potassium chloride and/or potassium sulphate and magnesium sulphate - patentkali.

Furthermore, sulphur fertilizer is added to the natural organic fertiliser in the form of magnesium sulphate in one embodiment of the invention.

And finally, particular embidiments of the present invention, one of more microfertilisers selected from a group made up of iron sulphate, iron chelate, zinc sulphate, zinc chelate, copper sulphate, copper chelate, borax, potassium molybdate and ammonium molybdate are added to natural organic fertiliser.

In all the above mentioned embodiments of the present invention, mineral fertilisers from one group may be present independently, in combination with one or more fertilizers from the same group of mineral fertilizers and/or in combination with one or more fertilizers from other groups of mineral fertilizers. For example, phosphate fertilizer may be present in the form of superphosphate and/or a combination of superphosphate and phosphate pentoxide independently, or in combination with mineral fertilizers from other individual groups (i.e. with nitrogen mineral fertilizers or nitrogen and sulphate mineral fertilizers, or for example, nitrogen, sulphate and potassium mineral fertilizers; or for example, with only potassium mineral fertilizers or with only sulphate mineral fertilizers, or with a combination of sulphate and potassium mineral fertilizers; whilst not neglecting microfertilizers that can also be combined only with one group of mineral fertilizers or with multiple groups). The combination of mineral fertilizers selected will depend primarily on the nature of the soil and type of culture to be grown on the soil.

One must also bear in mind when selecting the above listed embodiments of the present invention that the pH of the fertilizer should be between 10 and 12 and that moisture should be reduced to a maximum of 12 percent by weight.

With regard to the mass share of individual components in the fertilizer according to this invention, it should be said that the fertilizer of present invention contains 40 to 77% stable manure by weight, from 1.5 to 2.5% powdered aluminium by weight, and quicklime as needed in order to achieve a moisture content of approximately 12%.

Phosphorous mineral fertilizer may be used to enrich natural organic manure in an interval of 2 to 10% by weight.

Nitrogen mineral fertilizer may be used to enrich natural organic manure in an interval of 3 to 8% by weight.

Potassium mineral fertilizer may be used to enrich natural organic manure in an interval of 2 to 12% by weight.

Sulphur mineral fertilizer may be used to enrich natural organic manure in an interval of 1 to 13% by weight.

Finally, it should be said that microfertilizers may also be added to fertilizer according to the present invention, in amounts from 1500 to 2500 mg/kg. Of course, one or a combination of two or more of the listed microfertilizers may be added.

According to the present invention, fertilizer is processed in the form of pellets, ranging in size from 3x5 mm to 10x25 mm, in various geometric shapes (round, cylindrical, etc.). Fertilizer is applied under the surface of the cultivated land. Uptake of moisture from the soil improves the properties of stable manure, secondary nutrients, micronutrients and nutrients produced from a chemical reaction of aluminium, limestone and elements that bind to newly released hydrogen (nascent). Hydrogen binds to nitrogen, creating liquid ammoniac (NH₃)_. Liquid ammoniac under the soil surface retains a liquid aggregate state and feeds plant roots.

Fertilizer according to the present invention improves the acquired properties of natural organic fertilizer with the following parameters:

- increases nitrogen availability by 2 to 15%;

- increases phosphate availability, i.e. phosphorous, by 3 to 11%;

- increases potassium availability by 7 to 20%;

- increases magnesium availability by 0,5 to 9%;

- increases sulphur availability by 3 to 15%;

- increases organic carbon availability by 5 to 10%;

- increases humus organic matter availability by 25 to 75%;

Depending on the pressure applied in the formation of fertilizer pellets according to the present invention, the rate of water uptake can also be set, i.e. action rate for vegetative plant roots requiring rapid uptake in a period of 2 to 3 weeks, up to slow uptake over 2 to 3 months.

Below are several examples of implementation of the invention that are illustrative in nature, and by no way limit the application of the invention. The average expert in the field will adapt the content of fertilizer in this invention in line with the circumstances in place and with the rules of the profession. Therefore, depending on the culture one wishes to grow and the soil type and properties, the average expert will apply the rules of the profession to easily adapt the fertilizer of this invention to suit all types of soils, and soil quality in relation to the culture they wish to grow on that soil.

Example 1:

Fertilizer is in the form of round pellets. Organic material consists primarily of humic acids that release minerals into the soil. As a result, the minerals slowly become available for absorption by plant roots. Used for cultures requiring a high level of potassium, but little chloride. The dry matter content is approximately 88 ± 1% by weight. The fertilizer composition by weight is as follows: Natural organic fertilizer 57%

Powdered aluminium 2%

Superphosphate 3%

Urea 5%

KC1 12%

MgS0₄ 11%

Lime 10%

Microfertilizer traces

Example 2:

Fertilizer is in the form of round pellets. The application of fertilizer prevents soil alkalinisation and leads to an increase in the microbiological activity in soil and improves soil oxygenation. Dry matter content is 88 ± 1% by weight. The fertilizer composition by weight is as follows:

Nature organic fertilizer 75%

Powdered aluminium 2.5%

Superphosphate 3%

Urea 4.2%

KC1 2.8%

MgS0₄ 1.5%

Lime 11%

Microfertilizer traces

Example 3 :

Fertilizer balls developed for use in phosphate poor and highly alkaline soil. Combination of organic matter and phosphate mineral fertilizer guarantees the best possible availability of phosphate for plants.

Natural organic fertilizer 65%

Powdered aluminium 2.5% Superphosphate 10%

Urea 4.2%

KC1 2.8%

MgS0₄ 1.5%

Lime 14%

Microfertilizer traces

Example 4:

Soil exhaustion can occur due to fertilization with mineral fertilizers during the production of garden cultures. This fertilizer is adapted especially for soils in which organic active compounds and minerals have been reduced to inadequate low levels due to long-term use of mineral fertilizers.

Natural organic fertilizer 70%

Powdered aluminium 2%

Superphosphate 6%

Urea 4%

KC1 2%

MgS0₄ 2%

Lime 14%

Microfertilizers trace

Claims

1. Fertilizer, comprising:

a) at least one organic fertilizer selected from the group of stable manure, compost and peat, or any combination of the listed fertilizers;

b) at least one calcium mineral fertilizer selected from the group made up of quick lime with up to 70% calcium oxide by weight, slaked lime with up to 60% calcium oxide by weight, dolomite;

c) aluminium powder;

where the said fertilizer is in the form of pellets; while the pH of the said fertilizer is in the alkaline area; and where the moisture content of the said fertilizer is reduced to 10- 14% by weight.

2. Fertilizer according to claim 1, characterized by that it further comprises at least one phosphate mineral fertilizer selected from the group of phosphorous acids, phosphorous pentoxide, superphosphate, triple superphosphate, Thomas' phosphate, microphos.

3. Fertilizer according to claims 1 or 2, characterized by that it further comprises at least one nitrogen mineral fertilizer selected from the group of amide nitrogen fertilizers and nitrate nitrogen fertilizers.

4. Fertilizer according to any of the above claims characterized by that it additionally contains at least one potassium mineral fertilizer selected from the group made up of potassium chloride that contains up to 60% potassium oxide, potassium sulphate containing up to 50% potassium oxide, potassium and magnesium sulphate - patentkali.

5. Fertilizer according to any of the above claims, characterized by that it additionally comprises at least one sulphur mineral fertilizer selected from the group made up of ammonium sulphate, ammonium sulphate nitrate, potassium sulphate, potassium manganese sulphate, magnesium sulphate, aluminium sulphate, calcium sulphate.

6. Fertilizer according to any of the previous claims, characterized by that it further comprises at least one microfertilizer selected from the group composed of iron sulphate, iron chelate, zinc sulphate, zinc chelate, copper sulphate, copper chelate, borax, boric acid, solubor, sodium molybdate, ammonium molybdate.

7. Fertilizer according to claim 1, characterized by that it comprises stable manure and/or compost.

8. Fertilizer according to claim 2, characterized by that it contains superphosphate and/or phosphorous pentoxide.

9. Fertilizer according to claim 3, characterized by that it comprises urea and/or Norwegian saltpetre.

10. Fertilizer according to claim 4, characterized by that it comprises potassium chloride and/or potassium and magnesium sulphate - patentkali.

11. Fertilizer according to claim 5, characterized by that it comprises magnesium sulphate.

12. Fertilizer according to claim 6, characterized by that it comprises microfertilizer selected from the group comprised of iron sulphate, iron chelate, zinc sulphate, zinc chelate, copper sulphate, copper chelate, borax, sodium molybdate, ammonium molybdate or any combination of two or more of the above fertilizers.

13. Fertilizer according to any of the above claims, characterized by that its pH is between 10 and 12, and that its moisture content is reduced to a maximum of 12% by weight.

14. Fertilizer according to any of the above claims, characterized by that it comprises between 40 and 70% stable manure by weight, from 1.5 to 2.5% powdered aluminium by weight, and quick lime as required to accomplish a moisture content of 12% by weight.

15. Fertilizer according to claim 14, characterized by that phosphate mineral fertilizer is present in the amount of 2 to 10% by weight.

16. Fertilizer according to claims 14 or 15, characterized by that nitrogen mineral fertilizer is present in the amount of 3 to 8% by weight.

17. Fertilizer according to any of the claims of 14-16, characterized by that potassium mineral fertilizer is present in the amount of 2 to 12% by weight.

18. Fertilizer according to claims 14-17, characterized by that sulphur mineral fertilizer is present in the amount of 1 to 13% by weight.

19. Fertilizer according to claims 14-18, characterized by that it additionally comprises microfertilizer in the amount of 1500 to 2500 mg kg.