WO2014025275A2

WO2014025275A2 - Fertilizer with controlled components release, fertilizer with controlled components release production method and method of fertilizer application

Info

Publication number: WO2014025275A2
Application number: PCT/PL2013/000107
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stanisław ROGUT
Original assignee: Evergreen Janusz Zakrzewski
Priority date: 2012-08-06
Filing date: 2013-08-06
Publication date: 2014-02-13
Also published as: PL229206B1; WO2014025275A3; PL400268A1

Abstract

The subject of the invention is fertilizer with controlled nutrition components release in relation to application of fertilization time and fertilizer with controlled components release production method. The fertilizer with controlled components release comprising shredded, dried and sterilised biomass containing protein from 1,0 to 30% w/w, phosphorus 0,5 to 15% w/w, potassium compound 2 to 25% w/w, sulphur compounds 0,5 to 3,0% w/w, reactive alkaline substances 5 to 40% w/w, and applied nutrient agent core layer constitute substances limiting duration of ability to rinse and microbiological decompose of soluble component in amount of 1 to 10% w/w. Method of fertilizer production with controlled components release charatcerise, with fact, that biomass with high content of protein, preferably 10 to 25% and/ or phosphorate compounds and/ or potassium compounds, and/ or sulphur compounds are ground and alkaline reagent is added in amount of 5 to 30% w/w, preferably 15 - 20%, next introduced components are subject to homogenisation and dank and homogeneous substance is subject to sterilisation and drying process, whereas during exothermal hydration at the same time is initiated process of alkaline hydrolysis of organic biomass components in temperature exceeding 60 0 C for at least 20 minutes, and then received substance is dried in temp. 60°C to 95 °C until it reaches 15% do 20% of humidity, and wherefore receive fertilizer is subject to granulation process and on produced fertilizer granules are applied substances restricting for some period of time ability to rinse out and microbiological decompose of fertilizer components. Sowed fertilizer is ploughed into the ground, on depth of 20 to 30 cm.

Description

Fertilizer with controlled components release, fertilizer with controlled components release production method and method of fertilizer application

The invention relates to a fertilizer characterized by controlled release of nutritious components [nutrients] compared to the time of the application of fertilizer and fertilizer with controlled components release production method and method of fertilizer application.

Fertilizers have been used for thousands of years to supply the plants with nourishing means during the growing [vegetation] season. For some time, it is well known that the benefit provided by the additional nutrients may depend on when they are delivered to the growth medium and then become available to plants growing in an environment of growth. Sudden delivery of excessive amount of fertilizer can be wasteful or even detrimental to the plants. Providing too little, or supplying sufficient amount but too late, can in turn cause the starvation of plant nutrients. It is desirable to provide components contained in fertilizers that provide the required amount of nutrients to the growth medium within the required time.

The basis for crop production including cereals with high protein content, oil-bearing plants with high-fat content and high-energy plants giving high yield of carbohydrate biomass is the use of fertilizers releasing the fertilizer components in the form and intensity adjusted to the phase and intensity of development of crops.

During the storage of natural fertilizers, such as biomass, manure, animal by-products and other, natural and spontaneous release of ammonia occurs as a result of microbial degradation of proteins, the loss of ammonia ranges from 50 to 80 wt% of its original content. This ammonia is irretrievably lost. At the same time, for the intensive development of soil bacteria, as a necessary stage of absorption [assimilation] of fertilizers by plants, the readily assimilable carbon must be present in the soil - the deeper the breakdown of the coal-bearing complex organic substances into simple substances is, the more actively and intensively soil bacteria multiply which then by withering away provide plant nutrients to the soil. Another very important factor in the system of use of the fertilizer components contained in naturally occurring organic substances by plants is the need of previous production by the plants of developed root forms because otherwise the bacteria decomposition products are irretrievably lost by leaching from the soil, or by releasing into the atmosphere. Very short life span of soil bacteria and their repeated multiplication and then their quick decay means that nutrients assimilable forms remaining in the soil, as remnants of bacteria decay, cannot be stored in the soil - one cannot create a large number of chelated forms of nutrients "in reserve". Plants assimilate only what remains of the bacteria decay on a regular basis rather than from reserves. These problems are solved by a fertilizer of controlled-release of nutrients contained therein.

In the majority of research works in the field of crop, fertilization and soil science the aim is to seeks for optimization of the type and form of fertilizer application and fertilization procedures so that in the period of intensive development of plants the root systems would have optimum access to the required fertilizing components [nutrients], especially compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur. They focus on choosing the fertilizer type, optimization of doses and application forms, terms and forms of agrotechnical operations, with or without sprinkling irrigation [overhead spraying]. The research works confirm the significant influence of the type and form of the fertilizers used, the type and timing of agrotechnical measures associated with fertilization on changes in the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the plant yields obtained. These factors differentiate the yield and protein content in grain. Commonly, it is found that it is the availability of nitrogen compounds that has the greatest influence on the protein content in the grains of cereal grown, which in turn is influenced by weather conditions during the growing season, especially during the earing and grain maturation periods. Excessive rainfalls leach soluble fertilizer components from soil. In irrigated crops the grain contains significantly less nitrogen, calcium and proteins than in case of crops from non- irrigated areas. This result underlines the fundamental problem of agriculture in the world, especially in tropical countries due to intense precipitation and leaching of nutrients necessary for plant growth from soil. The use of chemical fertilizers, in particular nitrogenous ones, with a high solubility in water under conditions of heavy rainfalls or sprinkling irrigation creates favourable conditions for intensive leaching of nitrogen compounds preventing their use in the process of plant growth.

The methods of preventing this phenomenon used so far consist in the mixing of substances limiting the fertilizer leaching, preferrably substances yielding decay products such as tree bark, peat, fine-grained brown coals, etc. There are several methods of manufacturing such fertilizers based on active humus of organic sorbents. Organic and mineral sorbents, such as peats, manure, composts, clayey minerals, favourably montmorillonite, under the influence of calcium carbonates or hydroxides of calcium, potassium and sodium, release a large amount of water-soluble active humus having separate colloidal particles of a few microns sizes. Humus applied to the soil surface in the form of clods or dark brown clear liquid moves in the soil into the area around the root system. In this way the active humus can be used along with various fertilizers resulting in increased efficiency of use and reduced doses of fertilizer needed, and in the case of mixing with oxide lime it causes a gradual deacidification of the soil. Along with soil, desalting preparations, such as chalk, chalk rock [gaize] or zeolites there are improved yields on saline soils and reduced soil pathogens development. The solutions known from the Polish patent specification PL 197594 offer the recipe complex production for ecological organic - mineral fertilizers of general purpose or seed-plots, derived from plant origin components and from mineral deposits, then biologically activated with bacterial strains. The ecological organic - mineral fertilizers and / or substrates for seed-plots usually include brown coal, highmoor peat, mixed bark of forest trees, a mixture of sawdust, chips and screenings of forest trees, carbonized lignin, montmorillonite, bentonite, organic limestones, organic granulated chalk, kaolin, kainite, phosphate rocks, sulphur, granulated or ground, prepared from the chaff used in any mutual ratio of mixtures of cereal straw and straw of leguminous plants and nitrobacteria strains. Although these fertilizers are very valuable crops they are still characterized by such defects as lack of adaptation [mismatch] of the intensity of the release of plant nutrients to the stage of development of the plant and to the current weather and soil conditions. The solutions similar to the above mentioned are included in the Polish patent specifications PL 197594, PL 191524 and PL 193634. The solutions referred to in these patent specifications confirm a significant impact of the application method used and the physicochemical properties of fertilizers used on the quality of obtained yields, and particularly on the protein content of grain. In obtaining high efficiency of nutrients contained in these fertilizers the obstacle is their high solubility in water and the inability to correlate the intensity of the release of nutrients from fertilizers to the phases of plant growth.

It is known that the coated or encapsulated fertilizers are an effective source of providing controlled release of nutrients for the plants. This solution is presented in the patent specification PL 189788 in which the nutrients are released at a controlled rate through the fertilizer coating, resulting in a continuous supply of plant [with nutrients]. As a result, one-time use of the so-called chemical fertilizers, characterized by a controlled-release of components, can provide the necessary nutrients to plants in an amount equivalent to the multiple use of soluble chemical fertilizers. One type of widely used coated fertilizers are sulphur coated fertilizers described in US patent specifications - US 4 042 366, US 4 636 242, and US 5 405 426. The release of nutrients from the sulphur coated fertilizers occurs by diffusion through the defects in the coating and the coating breakdown. The main advantage of sulphur coated fertilizers is their relatively low cost.

In another type of controlled release of fertilizer components the polymeric coatings applied from the solvents are used. Polymeric materials used are thermosetting or thermoplastic resins. Examples of currently used fertilizers coated with thermosetting resins applied from solvents are disclosed in the U.S.patent specifications US 3 223 518, US 4 657 576, and US 4 880 455, whereas examples in which thermoplastic resins are used are revealed in the U.S.patent specification US 4 019 890. Another type of encapsulated fertilizers characterized by properties of the controlled release of components are granular fertilizers coated with latex, such as were revealed in the U.S.patent specifications US 4 549 897 and US 5 186 732. Fertilizers of such type demonstrate high initial rate of nutrients release directly after their use, then the release rate is reduced during the next period.

In practice, this means that in the fertilizers of such controlled release, the release of nutrients does not comply with the requirements of plants resulting from their growth phase. Experimental data show that the rate of growth of plants is consistent with the Gaussian curve, increasing over time to a maximum and then they get decreased. According to this it was considered desirable to provide fertilizers characterized by the time- release rate matched to the rate of growth of the plants treated with fertilizer. Such a model of components release means that the maximum release rate of the components occurs within time in which the rate of plant growth is the highest. However, so far there have been not known any fertilizers with the controlled release of components having a single layer of coating applied on the fertilizer granules, so that would be possible to supply plants with components in accordance with the specific nutrient requirements of plants.

The main purpose of the invention, is fertilizer with controlled components release and production method of fertilizer in granules surrounded with substance, to enable provision to plant components according to their specific nutritious needs.

Fertilizer with controlled components release according to the invention wherein, the core of nutrient agent includes shredded, dried and sterilised biomass containing protein from 1 ,0 to 30% w/w, phosphorus 0,5 to 15% w/w, potassium compound 2 to 25% w/w, sulphur compounds 0,5 to 3,0% w/w, reactive alkaline substances 5 to 40% w/w. Whereas nutrient agent core layer constitute substances limiting duration of ability to rinse and microbiological decompose of soluble component in amount of 1 to 10% w/w.

As reactive alkaline substances, the fertilizer includes calcium hydrate, magnesium oxide and potassium hydroxide.

Biomass compose of waste of animal origin, brewer's gains, brewing dregs, manure, liquid manure, chicken dung, residues from agricultural and food processing and biogas process, each separately or as mix of said waste.

The fertilizer includes substances received as an effect of alkaline neutralisation processes, especially alkaline metals hydroxides, preferably as a result of action of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide or trioxide, sulphur acid and organic waste acids, such as lactic acid, citric acid, acetic acid and /or organic substances with acid reaction, including condensed organic substances, preferably liquid manure, chicken dung, brewing dregs, brewer's gains, digested from biogas processes in at least stoichiometric amounts.

The fertilizer includes additions of shredded organic substances constituting source of easily assimilated by the soil organic carbon, preferably in form of hummus, preferably bark, sawdust, brown coal in amount 10 -50% w/w.

The fertilizer includes ground dolomite, bentonite, urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium phosphate, triple superphosphorate, potassium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, iron phosphate in variable proportions depended on fertiliser needs of cultivations, the fertiliser is intended for.

The fertilizer includes safe strains of soil bacteria in amount from 0,1 to 2,0%.

The fertilizer includes from 1 to 5% w/w of ground fertilizer chalk, dolomite, wax, sulphur or organic membrane forming substances, preferably fats, glycerine, wax, plasticized liquid sulphur or polymeric substances, each separately or jointly.

The fertilizer contains plants bio stimulators in amount from 0,1 to 2% w/w, preferably from meat slaughter and processing, algae and aquatic plants extract.

The subject of the invention is also method of fertilizer production with controlled components release characterise, with fact, that biomass with high content of protein, preferably 10 to 25% and/ or phosphorate compounds and/ or potassium compounds, and/ or sulphur compounds are ground and alkaline reagent is added in amount of 5 to 30%» w/w, preferably 15 - 20%>. Next introduced components are subject to homogenisation and dank and homogeneous substance is subject to sterilisation and drying process, whereas during exothermal hydration at the same time is initiated process of alkaline hydrolysis of organic biomass components in temperature exceeding 60 ⁰ C for at least 20 minutes, and then received substance is dried in temp. 60°C to 95 °C, until it reaches 15% do 20% of humidity. Receive fertilizer is subject to granulation process and on produced fertilizer granules are applied substances restricting for some period of time ability to rinse out and microbiological decompose of fertilizer components or organic membrane forming substances.

Phosphorus, potassium and sulphur compounds included in biomass are of natural origin.

After drying process is completed and humidity reaches from 15- 20%, fertilizing additives are added, preferably ground dolomite, betonite, urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium phosphate, triple superphosphorate, potassium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, iron phosphate.

After drying process is completed and humidity reaches 15-20%, organic ground substances are added that constitute for soil source of easily assimilated organic carbon in form of hummus, preferably bark, sawdust, brown.

Introducing safe strains of soil bacteria takes place after sterilisation, drying and neutralisation processes of received substance are completed. After sterilisation and drying process is completed plants bio stimulants are added in form of slaughter waste, meat processing, algae, and aquatic plants extract.

In the present agricultural practice prevailed opinion, that one must avoid any direct contact of calcium oxide with biomass, especially high protein used as fertilizer, as due to influence of calcium hydrate on biomass, most of nitrogen included in biomass is lost. It is true as to the facts, but effects of such contact are unpredictable. Due to alkaline hydrolysis process used during fertilizer production process according to the invention, organic carbon included in processed biomass receive easily assimilated form. Amount of nitrogen in produced fertilizer decrease but soil bacteria have easier access to more efficient assimilated carbon and develop more rapidly assimilating at the same time more assimilated forms of nitrogen, that were lost during alkaline hydrolysis. Moreover in the method of fertilizer production according to the invention, ammonia released during alkaline hydrolysis process is bound to the form of ammonia salt and used as chemical nitrogenous fertilizer in traditional fertilization methods. In addition during intelligent fertilizer production process with method according to the invention, occur effective alkaline biomass hydrolysis and its full sterilisation with simultaneous fungus destruction. Confirmation of unique properties of fertilizers received with the method according to the invention are results received by practising farmers using such fertilizers. Using OrCal® fertilizer, the fertilizer according to the invention produced from side products of animal origin from pig slaughterhouse in amount of tons per hectare, received yield of spring wheat 60 quintals from 1 hectare, at average content of protein in grain 18,9%. Spring wheat cultivated in comparable conditions but without using OrCal® fertilizer according to the invention, returned yield of 45 quintals from 1 hectare, at content of protein 13,5%. The test was conducted on area of 60 hectares.

Biomass, especially with high content of proteins, according to method according to the invention is subject intended and controlled accelerated alkaline hydrolysis with alkaline reagent, preferably ground burnt lime of high reactivity, preferably mixed with other substances of high alkalinity, preferably sodium or potassium oxides and hydroxides, preferably ashes from biomass combustion, that in condition of intensive mixing supersede ammonium from protein structures. Said ammonium is immediately bound into form of Mohr's salt or ammonium sulphate. This way we prevent loss of ammonium during biomass storage before it is used as fertilizer.

An advantage of the method according to the invention is the release and binding of ammonia under controlled conditions and in an accelerated manner. During this process, three factors are used for sterilizing: the presence of ammonia gas, the temperature above 60°C and pH > 1 1.0 causing complete sterilization which protects the temporarily formed fertilizer against biodegradation. This protection is of temporary character which means that the "re-biodegradation" of biomass is possible only after neutralization of the alkaline substances present in it, especially calcium hydrate. Making of the fertilizer nutrients available to soil bacteria takes place only when the plants are sufficiently developed to make their root structure able to use the chelated forms of fertilizer nutrients. Amount of alkali present in the fertilizer is controlled so as to enable the control of the alkali neutralization period. The amounts of alkali are adjusted to pH of the soil in which the fertilizer will be used and to the type of plants grown.

During the process of sterilization and drying of the biomass with is reagent the decomposition of complex organic compounds of carbon is carried out at the same time, so to obtain simpler forms of carbon more readily available to the bacterial flora present in the soil. The amount and type of reagent used as well as the time and conditions of storage of the fertilizer before sowing into the soil are dependent on coal-bearing nature of the substances present in the processed biomass.

The ammonium salts, obtained at the stage of the processing, preferably in the form of Mohr's salt and ammonium sulphate, are used as a readily available source of ammonia and when mixed with the sterile biomass, the double-acting fertilizers are obtained: at first ammonia is used which is contained in sulphates, fixed by soil bacteria for their development, and then the products of bacterial decomposition of organic substances are used . After sowing of the fertilizers produced by method according to the invention to soil they are immediately ploughed to prevent the surface layer of soil from getting saturated with solutions of milk of lime and from the destruction of soil bacterial flora present in the upper layers.

The widely prevailing viewpoint assumes that the more nitrogen is available in the soil, especially in the form of protein, potassium and phosphorus, the greater are the chances of a high yield with high levels of the desired components. In this way of thinking a very important and necessary intermediate link is ignored - which is especially the soil bacteria from a group of the Cyanophyta [blu-green algae]. The fertilizer components [nutrients] present in chemical fertilizers and in natural organic fertilizers without the necessary stage of processing by bacteria are useless for plants. Only after using them by bacteria and other soil organisms to build their organisms and then after their atrophy and transforming of residues to chelated forms they can be efficiently used by plants. A prerequisite of rapid growth of soil bacteria is ready availability of critical components in the appropriate proportions of assimilable carbon and nitrogen.

The carbon source for the bacteria are humus soil structures and organic carbon in the form readily absorbed, preferably processed as much as possible. For bacteria, it is preferable that organic matter present in soil contains the proteins processed into amino acids, cellulose and carbohydrates - into complex and simple sugars and fats - to glycerol and fatty acids. Soil bacteria are generally not able to use the carbon contained in carbon dioxide gas because the process of photosynthesis is necessary thereto and chlorophyll, and therefore a prerequisite for the development of active soil bacteria is the presence of assimilable carbon in the soil. In the case of nitrogen such a condition is not absolute any more because a lot of bacteria present in the soil environment can use inorganic nitrogen (ammonia, nitrogen oxides) contained in the atmosphere and soil. In the past, agricultural tradition dictated the ploughing of stubble residues, and besides most of the waste biomass also returned to the soil in the form of manure (slurry, manure). Currently, most of the organic carbon compounds contained in the waste biomass is harvested and processed into biogas and fuel pellets, and only a small amount goes back into the soil. Accordingly, an important factor to obtain a high yield is the efficient use of organic substances that are returned to the soil. Such a solution, in accordance with the present invention, is offered by a new generation of intelligent fertilizers OrCal® produced based on products derived from waste biomass in plants FuelCal. The unique properties of such fertilizers, in accordance with the present invention, result from the fact that owing to giving them specific properties in the manufacturing process, in accordance with the present invention, the more efficient use of the fertilizer components contained therein becomes possible. This is illustrated by the following examples.

In the traditional methods of cultivation of wheat, after supplying the soil with manure in the early spring, the soil is ploughed and sowed . By mid- April soil bacteria grow intensively at the expense of soil organic carbon resources and then they die, their decomposition products most often in the form of chelation are washed away by the rains and end up in aquifers [water-bearing layers] and from there to reservoirs to intensify the processes of eutrophication. The fertilizer substances arising from bacterial decomposition cannot be used by plants, because the plants have not developed the adequately efficient root systems yet, capable of using the effect of the bacterial activity. As a result, at least 40% of the nutrients contained in manure is irretrievably lost. In case of fertilizers OrCal®, resulting from the processing of waste biomass according to the present invention, the situation is different. During the FuelCal process there occurs the alkaline hydrolysis of biomass, the destruction of fungi and weed seeds, and complete sterilization of biomass takes place. Fertilizer lumps in the form of biomass granules decomposed to simpler compounds, are surrounded by an additional protective layer, preferably calcium hydrate, preventing its biodegradability. After their spreading on the soil surface they are immediately ploughed, preferably to a depth of 20 to 30 cm. The protective barrier of hydrate, present on the biomass granules, having pH ranging from 1 1 ,5 to 12,0 prevents its degradation by bacteria, until the soil acids and C0₂, S0₂ and S0₃ from the atmosphere neutralize the hydrate. The use of biomass previously protected by soil bacteria and processing of components contained therein, to chelated forms, possible to be used by the plant root systems becomes possible only after neutralization of the alkali present in such fertilizers. It is important that the upper layer of soil, which is found as a result of plowing on the surface, shall not be in contact with the calcium hydrate and that soil bacteria can grow in it, and therefore the instantaneous plowing operation after dispersal of such fertilizers is absolutely compatible with the method according to the invention.

Field experiments have shown that the delay in the initiation of microbiological decomposition of such fertilizers by soil bacteria due to the need to neutralize the alkaline compounds present in the fertilizer ranges from 4 to 6 weeks. This is the period in which the top layer of alkali-free soil but containing a natural decay products and soil humus develop root systems of plants. This allows that the maximum use, by bacteria, of the biomass contained in the fertilizer granules according to the invention (of OrCal® type) is correlated with the maximum intensity of plant growth. In addition, the unexpected intensity of the degradation of the now available bacterial biomass depends on the weather in a similar way as the intensity of plant growth. When there are sunny and humid weather conditions both the intensity of bacterial decomposition and plant growth are very high, whereas when it is cold and dry both bacterial decomposition and plant growth slow down . A feature of fertilizers produced and used in accordance with the invention is their insensitivity to leaching of nutrients contained therein, even during periods of heavy precipitation, and the long-term release of fertilizer components [nutrients], correlated with the weather conditions, resulting from the form given to them. In the process according to the invention a modification of the process technology and the methods of application of organic fertilizers and organic-mineral is assumed, for the purpose to alter the physicochemical properties of manufactured fertilizers in order to give them characteristics which enable adjusting of form and intensity of the release of fertilizer components [nutrients] to the development phase of fertilized plants and makes them resistant to adverse weather and soil conditions.

Fertilizers of this invention are organo-mineral fertilizers produced from particulate organic biomass, preferably with a high content of proteins, phosphorus and potassium compounds as well as calcium and magnesium compounds. Manufactured with a method according to the invention, they have the form of a wet fertilizer granules containing from 5 to 60% of the sterilized comminuted biomass, 10 to 50% of the highly reactive calcium hydrate Ca (OH) ₂ and compounds of potassium, phosphorus and microelements [trace elements] from the processed biomass. These fertilizers are of varied chemical composition depending on the raw material from which they were produced. One of the main factors of the fertilizer are natural proteins contained in the processed biomass, releasing ammonium compounds, as well as phosphorus, sulphur and potassium compounds, in the process of biological decomposition under the influence of soil bacteria. Another important component intensifying the yield-forming actions of such fertilizers is the content therein of compounds acting as plant biocatalysts such as hemoglobin of the blood contained in the treated animal by-products or chlorophyll from the processed plant biomass, and the ability to produce, from the decomposed animal and plant tissues, the decay and similar substances, as well as humus structures. These compounds and their derivatives, despite their low content in fertilizers, because of the structure and properties, have the characteristics of biocatalysts that affect the development and yield of plants to the extent not comparable to the scale of their presence in fertilizers. The most desirable raw materials processed according to the invention, into this type of fertilizers, are all high-protein by-products and residues from agro - food processing, such as animal by-products, decoction [spent bear], brewers' spent grains, residues from the processing of fruit and vegetables, poultry droppings [manure], slurry, liquid manure, manure or concentrated residues from biogas production process. In the processes of fertilizers production according to the invention by virtue of raw material of various origin and the vast differences in morphology and composition of organic substances, it is necessary to modify their composition by supplementing the basic components of the fertilizer with additives resulting from the specific needs of the plants to which the fertilizers shall be applied. Because of the high content of calcium hydrate, these fertilizers are permanently secured for the period of their storage prior to microbial decomposition until neutralization of the hydrate occurring in them. During storage, the process of alkaline hydrolysis of biomass is continued, thus increasing the amount of readily available organic carbon compounds in the fertilizer. Neutralization of the calcium hydrate present therein occurs only as a result of the impact exerted by acidic compounds, present in soil and soil atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides, organic acids generated in the root systems of plants, humic acids present in the soil, etc.. on the calcium hydrate.

When it is desirable to accelerate decomposition of bacterial nutrients, the fertilizer manufacturing process is modified by introducing of biomass into the reaction chamber of the processing reactor, in the final stage of the manufacturing process, or after its completion - the chemical substances having calcium hydrate neutralization capacity, preferably carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide or sulphuric acid, organic acids, preferably of food processing processes, such as lactic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, or by mixing with organic waste substances of an acidic nature, preferably thickened with slurry, decoction and other brew slops, preferably to almost fully neutralize hydroxides of calcium, sodium and potassium present in the product and produce finely crystalline calcium salts. In specific cases, such as in biogas plants, for neutralization of the calcium hydrate there can be used hot flue gases from generators, rich in carbon dioxide, or raw biogas containing hydrogen sulfide and large amounts of carbon dioxide.

The process for the production of fertilizers, modified as described above according to the invention, allows to give a new advantageous feature to the fertilizers, which is the ability to release the nutrients, immediately after the neutralized granules of fertilizer get in contact with the soil bacteria. It is possible to supplement the composition of the neutralized fertilizer granules with substances capable of collecting water, preferably with water-absorbing polymers, of hydrogel type and of type of water- absorbing natural minerals such as bentonites and zeolites. Hydrogels as granular fertilizer components influence both their physical and chemical properties. In the soil or plant substrates, treated with fertilizers involving hydrogels, the air- water relationships [conditions] are improved and the water-holding capacity significantly increases, including in particular water readily available to plants. Especially beneficial effect of hydrogels on the properties of water occurs in porous soils, highly permeable to water, with a large proportion of components such as sand, bark, gravel, expanded clay or coarse coal fractions. In such substrates the hydrogels significantly increase water-holding capacity without reducing significantly the air capacity. Hydrogels reduce fluctuations in moisture content in substrates, resulting from periodic drying or watering contributing to the reduction of water stress in plants. The possibilities of reducing water consumption, reducing the migration of fertilizers and pesticides to groundwater, are beneficial both from an economic point of view as well as that of environmental protection. Addition of hydrogel to universal substrate results in decrease of the density and it contributes to the growth of its scarification. Soil containing hydrogel dries up longer and it maintains humidity more effectively. Overdrying of soil containing hydrogels causes less change in the structure as compared with the control soils.

For example, addition of 4 g of gel per liter of soil causes a 21-25% increase in the amount of water available to plants and, in the case of a higher dose of the gel (6 g / 1) increase is as high as 75-88%. Hydrogels added to the soil in amount of 2-6 g / 1 have a positive effect on the rooting of plant cuttings, height, better foliage and the fresh weight increase as compared to the control cultivation. In the case of a uniform substrate (bark or peat) addition of hydrogels appears also indispensable. The peat-bark substrate, despite its high water-holding capacity, after enrichment with hydrogel, has an impact on the better development of the root system and on the increase of fresh weight of shoots. Hydrogels applied to the soil before planting crops have a positive effect on the growth and size of the plants. The polymer in the case of a small thickness of the soil protects plants from drying out during periods of water shortage.

It is also possible according to the invention, to prepare the smart ["intelligent"] media, optimal for seeded type of plants, for example in the form of fertilizer - soil inserts. Examples of the "intelligent" substrate is sufficiently molded lump comprising seeds at its centre, surrounded by a modified method according to the invention, manure and supplemented with optimally chosen additives in terms of the plants needs, such as a hydrogel, bark, soil bacteria and other. Another factor having a significant effect on the intensity of the release of fertilizer nutrients is the presence of the appropriate soil bacteria in them. In the basic method of the invention such an option is not possible because of the content of calcium hydrate creating in the granules the environment having a very high level of alkalinity and a pH as high as 12,0.

In the variety of method according to the invention, after obtaining neutral or acidic pH, it is possible to supplement the composition of the fertilizer with the active soil bacteria before sowing fertilizers. This is achieved by filling the composition of the modified and neutralized fertilizer before or after granulation, with bacterial strains from soil bacteria, preferably from mature compost, processed manures of slurry, manure or other types.

In order to prevent too rapid decomposition of organic tissues contained in the modified fertilizer, in accordance with the present invention, the resulting granules are coated with membrane-forming substances or are powdered with fine grained mineral compounds so that the temporary barrier filters are made on the surface to prevent too rapid leaching or releasing of products arising from the biological decomposition of organic tissues and nutrients to the atmosphere.

Fertilizers according to the invention, by virtue of the method of their production and the raw materials used, may vary considerably in terms of composition and the nature of the released nutrients, and therefore in the present invention, depending on the intended use of the fertilizer, especially a kind of plant for which they are intended, their composition is modified with various additives such as compounds of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and trace elements. To achieve this, the modifying components are dosed in a controlled manner so as their proportions could assure the assumed final chemical composition, optimal for a given type of plants. The resulting compositions in which the main component is the starting fertilizer, are ground and mixed in an appropriate sequence and proportion of dosing of the individual components, then the whole is subjected to agglomeration. The modified granular fertilizers are coated with membrane-forming substances, preferably a film-forming polymers and / or glycerine and / or waxes and / or mineral substances able to absorb and store water preferably finegrained bentonite, zeolites or ground dolomite. These operations are intended to provide the granules with the water storage capacity and at the same time to make them resistant to leaching under the influence of heavy torrential rains. As the supplementary substances the following are used: urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium phosphate, triple superphosphate, potassium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, dolomite, iron sulphate and trace elements in varying quantitative proportions dependent on the specific fertilizing needs of the crops for which the fertilizers are intended.

Another factor important to the effectiveness of smart fertilizers produced according to the invention, is method of their application. If the primary objective of the plant production is to obtain a grain with a maximum protein content, such as in the type of feed grains of wheat, triticale, oats, barley, maize, or legumes, the most important factor for the effective operation of fertilizer is the release of nitrogen compounds adapted to the development phase of the plants, especially during the process of the grain-building.

When the aim of fertilization is to increase the amount of biomass acquired as in the case of crops used for energy purposes the fertilizer used is to provide components intended to promote the growth of chlorophyll and substances that increase the assimilation of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In this case, the crucial importance for the size of the resulting yield is the release of trace elements such as iron ions or substances with biocatalytic characteristics and ensuring the stability of the soil for plants by supplementing soil with water storing substances and substances improving aeration and soil structure. In the case of oil- bearing plants such as rapeseed the availability of the compounds of magnesium and sulphur is an important factor and therefore the preferred option in this case may be the addition of 2 to 5% by weight of magnesium sulphate or ammonium sulphate.

In the case of fertilizers neutralized already at the stage of manufacture, supplying of the plants with fertilizer during plant vegetation period becomes possible in the periods of maximum growth of plants with a focus on the development of plants by means of the maximum release of of the most desired nutrient, for example promoting an increase of protein content in grain and the maximization of the yield of green mass.

All the laborious and expensive agricultural practices, repeated many times, can be eliminated by fertilizer according to the invention using a one-time, and only in some cases, two-time soil fertilization with the proposed "intelligent" fertilizers prepared from appropriate components and in such form that the intensity of nutrient release would be dependent on soil and weather conditions prevailing at a given stage of plant development. Summary of the key solutions is presented in the following table:

prevailing soil and soil and climatic climatic conditions. climatic conditions conditions.

In the case of the use of manure as a fertilizer the nutrient loss occurs during storage also without liming. In the case of using the fertilizer according to the invention the process of release of ammonia is accelerated, while binding the majority of the released ammonium compounds to a salt form. For this purpose, a mixture of dense slurry manure, liquid manure, poultry droppings, spent grain, decoction and / or other types of biomass waste rich in protein and phosphorus compounds are dried and sterilized using reactive ground quicklime, and then in the final stage of the process or in a separate technological operation, the excess of the calcium hydrate present in the product is neutralized with carbon dioxide gas, sulphur dioxide and other substances of an acidic nature, preferably derived from raw biogas to achieve the desired pH, preferably 6.5 to 7.5. Emitted in the process of drying and sterilization involves neutralization of ammonia and it binds to salt form with hydrated solutions of ferrous sulphate to the Mohr's salt form or sulphuric acid to ammonium sulphate form. The dried ammonium salts are preferably added to the main product. The result is a nitrogen fertilizer of dual action. Ammonia contained in the Mohr's salt acts as a fast first dose of nitrogen while the main part contained in the dried and sterilized organic material as a source of slow acting nitrogen.

The resulting fertilizer contains, in concentrated form, all the components contained in the fertilizer included in the processed raw materials and at the same time it can be stored for long periods without fear of further loss of nutrients due to the blockage of biodegradation processes until fertilizer is mixed with the soil and until its contact with soil bacteria.

The invention in the form of fertilizer with a controlled release of nutrients contained in the fertilizer is shown in the following examples.

Examples:

1. The controlled release fertilizer contains biomass made by residues of the biogas production process of the content of 28% by weight of protein, 2% by weight of ammonium phosphate, 3% by weight of potassium sulphate, 1.5% by weight of sulphur, 20% by weight of ground quicklime, 15% by weight of humus, 1% by weight of soil bacteria strains, 3% by weight of glycerol . At the core of nutrient containing a particulate dried and sterilized biomass, including protein in an amount of 12% by weight, phosphorus compounds in an amount of 2% by weight, potassium compounds in an amount of 3% by weight, sulphur compounds in an amount of 1.5% by weight, alkaline reactive substance in form of calcium hydrate in an amount of 25% by weight, the coating of the nutrient is applied being at the same time the substance temporarily limiting the leaching of the core components and their microbiological degradation in an amount of 8% by weight.

Fertilizer according to Example 1 wherein the calcium hydrate, magnesium oxide and potassium hydroxide are used as the alkaline reactive substances.

Fertilizer according to Example 1 wherein the biomass constitutes the waste of animal origin in an amount of 20% by weight, the decoction in an amount of 40% by weight, the poultry manure [droppings] in an amount of 20% by weight and the biogas production process residues in an amount of 20% by weight - mixed

To fertilizer prepared according to Example 1 or 2, the following substances are added, which have a capacity for neutralization of acidic alkali in at least stoichiometric amount

To fertilizer prepared according to Examples 1 to 4 the organic particulate substances are added, which are, for the soil, the readily assimilable source of organic carbon in the form of humus and in the form of a finely ground mixture of 30% bark, 30% sawdust and 40% of lignite in a total amount of 20% by weight.

To fertilizer prepared according to Examples 1 to 5 the 10% supplement of nutrients being a mixture of ground dolomite in an amount of 30%, bentonite in an amount of 40%, fertilizer chalk in an amount of 30% are added.

To fertilizer prepared according to Examples 1 to 6 after its prior neutralization to pH <7.0, the following secure soil bacterial strains are added in an amount from 0.5% by weight contained in particulate mature manure.

To fertilizer prepared according to Examples 1 to 7 the following substances are added as components of the protective coating, such as wax, sulphur or organic film- forming substances and polymeric substances taken individually or in combination.

To fertilizer prepared according to Examples 1 to 7, the following plant biostimulators are added in an amount of 1% by weight, from the slaughtering and meat processing plants, algae and breeding algae and aquatic plant extracts. To nutrient containing a particulate dried and sterilized biomass, including protein in an amount of 12% by weight, phosphorus compounds in an amount of 2% by weight, potassium compounds in an amount of 3% by weight, sulphur compounds in an amount of 1.5% by weight, 20% by weight of alkali-reactive and ground quicklime is added as a reagent and wet ground and homogeneous material is subjected to a sterilization process, and drying, where in the exothermic hydration process there is initiated at the same time the alkaline hydrolysis of organic components of the biomass at a temperature above 60° C for at least 20 minutes and then the resulting material is dried at a temperature of 60 ° C until the 20% humidity, after which the resulting fertilizer is subjected to a granulation process and on the resulting granules are applied the substances which temporarily reduce the ability to microbiological degradation and leaching of nutrients contained in granules in the form of organic film- forming substances.

The method according to example 10 wherein after drying of manure up to 20% humidity the fertilizer additives are supplied.

The method according to Example 10 in which the use of safe soil bacteria strains occurs after the end of the sterilization process and the process of neutralization and drying of the resulting substance. The method according to Example 10 in which, after completion of the sterilization and drying the plant biostimulators are added in form of wastes from slaughterhouse, meat processing plants, algae, algae and aquatic plant extracts.

Fertilizers prepared according to Examples 1 to 5 shall be supplemented by mixing with the addition of a water-absorbing substances in the form of hydrogels in amounts of 1.0% by weight. Fertilizers are prepared according to Example 14 except that instead of the hydrogels the zeolites or bentonites are used.

From the smart (^intelligent" ] fertilizers produced according to examples from 1 to 7 the substrates are formed of the composition optimal for the, type of plants sown in the form of fertilizer - soil inserts in such forms and sizes, that it shall be possible to include therein the seeds or seedlings of plants and then the substrates formed with seeds or seedlings are placed the protective casings in the form of porous pots or containers of biodegradable materials and then placed in a suitably sized cavities irrigated in the soil and the soil covering layer covering regularly irrigated.

Claims

1. Fertilizer with controlled components release comprising core of nutrient agent and layer applied on the core, whereas the core of nutrient agent includes shredded, dried and sterilised biomass containing protein from 1 ,0 to 30% w/w, phosphorus 0,5 to 15% w/w, potassium compound 2 to 25% w/w, sulphur compounds 0,5 to 3,0% w/w, reactive alkaline substances 5 to 40% w/w, and applied nutrient agent core layer constitute substances limiting duration of ability to rinse and microbiological decompose of soluble component in amount of 1 to 10% w/w.

2. The fertilizer according to Claim 1 , wherein as reactive alkaline substances includes calcium hydrate, magnesium oxide and potassium hydroxide.

3. The fertilizer according to Claim 1, wherein the biomass compose of waste of animal origin, brewer's gains, brewing dregs, manure, liquid manure, chicken dung, residues from agricultural and food processing and biogas process, each separately or as mix of said waste.

4. The fertilizer according to Claim 1 and 2, wherein includes substances received as an effect of alkaline neutralisation processes, especially alkaline metals hydroxides, preferably as a result of action of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide or trioxide, sulphur acid and organic acids, preferably waste organic acids, preferably lactic acid, citric acid, acetic acid and /or organic substances with acid reaction, preferably condensed organic substances, preferably liquid manure, chicken dung, brewing dregs, brewer's gains, digested from biogas processes in at least stoichiometric amounts.

5. The fertiliser according to Claims 1 , 2 and 3, wherein includes additions of shredded organic substances constituting source of easily assimilated by the soil organic carbon, preferably in form of hummus, preferably bark, sawdust, brown coal in amount 10 -50% w/w.

6. The fertilizer according to Claims 1 , 2 and 3, wherein includes ground dolomite, bentonite, urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium phosphate, triple superphosphorate, potassium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, iron phosphate in variable proportions depended on fertiliser needs of cultivations, the fertiliser is intended for.

7. The fertilizer according to Claims 1 to 5, wherein includes safe strains of soil bacteria in amount from 0,1 to 2,0%.

8. The fertilizer according to Claim 1 , wherein includes from 1 to 5% w/w of ground fertilizer chalk , dolomite, wax, sulphur or organic membrane forming substances, preferably fats, glycerine, wax, plasticized liquid sulphur or polymeric substances, each separately or jointly.

9. The fertilizer according to Claims 1 to 5, wherein includes plants bio stimulators in amount from 0,1 to 2% w/w, preferably from meat slaughter and processing, algae and aquatic plants extract.

10. Method of fertilizer production with controlled components release with use of core from nutritive component, wherein biomass with high content of protein, preferably 10 to 25% and/ or phosphorate compounds and/ or potassium compounds, and/ or sulphur compounds are ground and alkaline reagent is added in amount of 5 to 30% w/w, preferably 15 - 20%, next introduced components are subject to homogenisation and dank and homogeneous substance is subject to sterilisation and drying process, whereas during exothermal hydration at the same time is initiated process of alkaline hydrolysis of organic biomass components in temperature exceeding 60 ⁰ C for at least 20 minutes, and then received substance is dried in temp. 60°C to 95 °C until it reaches 15% do 20% of humidity, and wherefore receive fertilizer is subject to granulation process and on produced fertilizer granules are applied substances restricting for some period of time ability to rinse out and microbiological decompose of fertilizer components or organic membrane forming substances.

1 l .The method according to the Claim 10, wherein included in biomass phosphorus, potassium and sulphur compounds are of natural origin.

12. The method according to Claim 10, wherein after drying process is completed and humidity reaches from 15- 20 %, fertilizing additives are added, preferably ground dolomite, betonite, urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium phosphate, triple superphosphorate, potassium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, iron phosphate.

13. The method according to the Claim 10, wherein after drying process is completed and humidity reaches 15-20%, organic ground substances are added that constitute for soil source of A assimilated organic carbon in form of hummus, preferably bark, sawdust, brown.

14. The method according to Claim 10, wherein introducing safe strains of soil bacteria takes place after sterilisation, drying and neutralisation processes of received substance are completed.

15. The method according to Claim 10, wherein after sterilisation and drying process is completed plants bio stimulants are added in form of slaughter waste, meat processing, algae, and aquatic plants extract.

16. Fertilizer with controlled components release application method, wherein at the same time with sowing process of fertilizer it is ploughed into the ground, on depth of 20 to 30 cm.

17. The method according to Claim 16, wherein into the soil are introduced water storing substances, preferably hydro gels in amount of 2 to 6 g/1 and substances improving soil structure.