Abstract: A granular fertilizer which provides plant assimilatable nutrients by both hydrolysis and bacterial activity, and which includes biological growth promoting nutrients. The fertilizer is made by blending and pelletizing an aggregate of conventional fertilizing materials, biological food source materials and at least one hydrophilic material which expands upon wetting and becomes porous and wick-like upon heating to drive off absorbed water. In its dry state, the hydrophilic material wicks up applied liquid biological inoculum which remains dormant until dispensed and exposed to adequate heat and moisture.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for providing phosphate fertilizer to the root zone of plants. The composition comprises a microorganism capable of producing and secreting a solubilization agent, a carbon source for providing raw material for the microorganism to convert into the solubilization agent, and rock phosphate ore for providing a source of insoluble phosphate that is solubilized by the solubilization agent and released as soluble phosphate. The composition is provided in a physical form, such as a granule, that retains the microorganism, carbon source, and rock phosphate ore, but permits water and soluble phosphate to diffuse into the soil. A method of using the composition for providing phosphate fertilizer to plants is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a double metal oxide of the general formula: XMO.sub.3 in which X is Li, Na, K, Pb, Ba, Mg, Ca, Sr, La, Y or Bi, and M is Al, Mn, Ti, Zr, Sn, Mg, Zn, Fe, Co, Ni, Nb, Ta or W, which has a narrow particle size distribution and contains few agglomerates, by calcining a mixture of a simple oxide of metal X and a simple oxide of metal M; amorphous double metal oxide particles comprising X and M or their mixture; or metal oxide precursors which are converted to said simple metal oxides or said double metal oxide, in the presence of iodine or hydrogen iodide.

Abstract: Plant nutrients that are released in soil over a controlled period of time are comprised of plant nutrient particles containing urea and on the surface of the particles a water insoluble, biodegradable, interpenetrating polymer network comprised of a biuret, a urethane and tung oil; more specifically, an interpenetrating network comprised of the reaction product of the urea and an isocynate reactive with urea, the reaction product of the isocyanate and an alcohol reactive with isocyanate to form a urethane, and the reaction product of the urethane and tung oil. A method of making the controlled release plant nutrient conveniently and economically is also disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially odorless and sterilized fertilizer in pellet form is produced by combining a dry organic waste material and a dry binder material, then combining the resulting dry mixture with steam, water and/or further organic waste in the form of sludge. The resulting material is provided to an extruder for a more thorough, dispersive mixing, a pressure increase to at least 100 psi, and heating above the glass transition temperature of the binder, and more preferably to at least about 125.degree. C. to substantially sterilize the material mass. The extruded material is forced through a die and released to an ambient environment, rapidly reducing pressure of the material and thereby lysing spores and microorganisms surviving conditions within the extruder. The emerging material is segmented and dried, or segmented and tumbled to form pellets, then dried.

Abstract: The corrector comprises a mixture of trace elements, in hydrated sulfate form, optionally containing carbonates and including iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc, with the following typical analysis: Magnesium 3.5-6%; iron 12-19%; Manganese 1-1.5%; zinc 0.2-0.3% and organic matter 0-45%.The process comprises mixing 50-66% of the by-product of manufacture of titanium bioxide via sulfate, 5-10% alkaline earth carbonate or magnesite and, optionally, 10-45% organic matter, grinding the mixture, granulating it and drying it, cooling it and screening it.The corrector is used in agriculture to prevent and control ferric chlorosis, to favor physiological processes of harvests in which iron takes part and to avoid deficiencies of manganese and zinc in farmland.

Abstract: A process for coating fertilizer granules in which a mixture of adhesive and additive is provided and the particles of the additive in the adhesive are ground to a desired size. The mixture of adhesive and ground additive is then applied to the surface of the fertilizer granules and agitated to evenly coat the granules without agglomeration. Either subsequently or in combination with the agitating the adhesive in the coating is dryed without agglomeration. The additive/adhesive mixture may be applied to the fertlizer granules by any method such as mixing in a stirred vessel or spraying.

Abstract: The invention relates to a devive and a method for the continuous treatment of putrescent waste in which the waste is eaten by fly larvae. The device comprises:a conveyor belt;a means to distribute the waste;a means for depositing fly larvae eggs onto the waste;a means for removing fly larvae from the waste and from the conveyor belt;a means for removing the waste from the conveyor belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nutrient rich humus material produced by a process wherein solids in an aqueous slurry of animal excrement are settled or precipitated in a solids ecoreactor, the slurry may be treated before and/or after settlement in the ecoreactor by passing to a bioreactor wherein soluble phosphorus may be precipitated with metallic salts, the slurry is aerobically and anaerobically treated to form an active biomass that actively bioconverts remaining soluble phosphorus, nitrogen and organics, and the aqueous slurry containing bioconverted phosphorus is recycled to said solids ecoreactor and/or discharged, and at least a portion of slurry is bioconverted and recovered as a beneficial humus material.

Abstract: A method for biologically remedying polluted soil characterized in that pollutant-degrading microorganisms and an agent which accelerates the formation of aggregated structure of soil are fed to the polluted soil.

Abstract: Manganese byproducts produced in the course of manufacturing electrolytic manganese dioxide provide a novel manganese fertilizer having a fertilizer response that can operate both instantaneously and slow-release. A manganese fertilizer contains manganese byproducts and has 3 to 20 wt % citric acid-soluble manganese (C--MnO) and 0.5 to 7.0 wt % water-soluble manganese (W--MnO).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing copper oxide to improve its acid resistance comprising the step of reacting cupric oxide with a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of morpholine borane, ethylene diamine borane, ethylene diamine bisborane, t-butylamine borane, piperazine borane, imidazole borane, and methoxyethylamine borane to form cuprous oxide.

Abstract: An improved continuous process for producing granular fertilizer and/or soil amendments resulting in a high quality granular product. A slurry of clay in water with a dispersant is prepared using intensive mixing. Dry components are intimately mixed with the slurry in a mixer. The mixture is fed into a granulator to produce granules within a desired range of granule sizes. The granules are dried in a dryer and screened to remove any granules of an undesired size. The undesired granules are recycled.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided which comprises a peat material and an added source of nitrogen, said added source of nitrogen consisting of one of urea, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate and ammonia. A composition such as this may be used in a process for making a peat fertilizer in the form of granulars.

Abstract: In a method for composting organic material, the material to be composted is placed, in disintegrated form, in a container. The material to be composted is introduced into the inner, lower part of an accumulation of disintegrated material which was previously introduced into the container. The material introduced into the container is then degraded biologically in zones which, are moved upwards as additional disintegrated material is being introduced into the container. Finally composted material is withdrawn from the upper part of the accumulation of material. A device for carrying out the method has a container and a material feed unit. The material feed unit has a feed tube with an outlet end which opens centrally in the lower part of the container, a material inlet communicating with the feed tube to receive the material to be composted, and a press for pressing the material in the feed tube toward the outlet end of the feed tube.

Abstract: Mechanically strong, water-disintegrable agglomerates for use as a soil conditioner produced from dust particles emitted from kilns during the manufacture of cement and a process for forming such agglomerates are disclosed. The process comprises combining cement kiln dust and a water-soluble binder to produce agglomerates which are then subjected to controlled drying such that the dried agglomerates having a size ranging from -7 to +8 Tyler Standard Sieve Series exhibit an average green crush strength of at least about 2 pounds (about 0.9 kg).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of titanium dioxide pigments and the use thereof.

Abstract: This patent describes nitrification inhibitors characterized by the fact that they contain as their active ingredients a substituted pyrazole, or a salt or metallic complex thereof, dicyanodiamide, and one of the compoundsammonium thiosulfate,biguanide, orammonium rhodanide. The combinations of the present invention are more efficacious than the individual ingredients alone and binary combinations of the same ingredients, and are thus superior to same from the ecological, phytotoxicity, and cost-effectiveness stand-points, as well as in terms of their tendencies to form undesirable residues.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of organic agricultural waste into a soil amendment uses earthworms. The organic material is rent into small pieces, placed in a rick with 60% or more moisture. Earthworms are added to the rick for the consumption of the decomposing organic material. Succeeding ricks are added as the material is being consumed until the resulting castings can be most efficiently separated from the earthworms and remaining organic material. Storage as silage of the organic agricultural material may be employed between harvesting and addition of the earthworms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agricultural fertilizer prepared from animal waste, rock fines, and optionally other ingredients to improve its performance. The process for preparing this fertilizer is within the scope of this invention.