Abstract: This invention is a method to produce a substitute for peat moss comprising:mixing in a mixer adsorptive cellulosic material with an effective amount of an inoculum containing cellulose degrading microorganism such as lignin cellulose degrading bacteria upon anaerobic fermentation and manure municipal waste or similar waste, manufactured feedstock or a blend of these,transferring said mixture to a chamber,allowing the temperature of said mixture to rise in said chamber until said cellulosic material changes color, thenaerating said mixture to remove water vapor, ammonia and other gases in an exhaust gas and then removing said mixture from said chamber for use as a substitute for peat moss and other uses.

Abstract: A method for producing an iron-containing complex oxide powder represented by the general formula:XO.nFe.sub.2 O.sub.3wherein X represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Pb, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni and n represents an integer of 1 to 6, which comprises heating a mixture of an oxide of an X atom and iron oxide, or a mixture of a compound of the X atom and a compound of iron, which can be converted into the oxides, in an atmosphere gas containing at least one gas selected from a bromine gas, an iodine gas, a hydrogen bromide gas and a hydrogen iodide gas.

Abstract: Improved potassium sulfate/potassium nitrate salt products in both solid particulate and liquid form are provided which exhibit enhanced salt solubility in water. The products include potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate, in combination with a surfactant and mixed together in water. The aqueous mixture is heated to a maximum reaction temperature in the range of about 100-.degree.210.degree. F., and will retain enhanced water solubility in either a heated or cooled condition.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for selectively dispensing at least one target compound into a selected environment. A target compound is dissolved within an elastomer compound in a concentration that supersaturates the elastomer compound. The elastomer compound is then shaped into a selected form that is conducive to placement within the selected environment. The target compound within the elastomer compound begins to bloom to the surface of the elastomer compound where it is exposed to the surrounding environment. The bloom of the target compound into the surrounding environment continues until the concentration of the target compound within the elastomer compound reaches its saturation point. As such, the duration of the bloom of the target compound from the elastomer compound can be regulated by the concentration of the target compound within the elastomer compound, the volume of the elastomer compound and the surface area of the elastomer compound.

Abstract: A method of preparing a dried fertilizer composition from poultry manure, minimizing decomposition and degradation of organic nitrogen, to achieve a total nitrogen content of about 3 to about 7 percent by weight.

Abstract: A liquid fertilizer blends containing alkanoic acids are safely and conveniently applied to young plants or seeds in a dry form. This dry form is generally a granular carrier and facilitates the application of said fertilizers in conjunction with other agrichemicals which are being applied concurrently. Furthermore, this fertilizer has unexpected release characteristics from the granule.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to obtain a calcium agent for plants, which enters into cells of a plant so as to derive the physiological activity basically for DNA and RNA activation and to enhance the absorbability of calcium into the living plant. Therefore, the calcium agent for plants, contains, as main components, water-soluble low molecular weight chitosan having an average molecular weight of 500 to 30000 consisting of chitosan and/or chito-oligosaccharide and/or derivatives thereof, an inorganic substance including calcium element and/or a water-soluble organic substance including calcium element, and if necessary, water-soluble organic acid. By administering this calcium agent, lime deficiency diseases of plants can be prevented.

Abstract: The invention concerns a high-grade, long-duration, organic fertilizer and a method of manufacturing it by the oxidative ammonolysis of industrial lignin. The fertilizer contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium compounds, normally hydrolyzable amides and more strongly bound organic nitrogen. The proportion of more strongly bound organic nitrogen is 55 to 85%, preferably 65 to 80%, relative to the total nitrogen content of the fertilizer. The manufacturing process uses industrial lignin precipitated under alkaline conditions from alkaline waste liquors, extracts or solutions. Preliminary tests have confirmed that this process gives a natural-like, high-grade, long-duration fertilizer similar to humus in character and with surprisingly good environmental compatibility.

Abstract: An improved particulate, ammonium nitrate is prepared with 2.0-6.0 percent by weight potassium sulfate. The potassium sulfate suppresses crystalline phase IV.revreaction.III transitions in the ammonium nitrate particles while undergoing temperature variations between 18.degree.-42.degree. C. The resulting fertilizer, which may be further coated to further suppress dusting, exhibits superior resistance to caking, clumping and cracking.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating all types of green organic material including small timber pieces, shrubbery, grass cuttings and other green organic material mixing various size components of such organic material together with fertilizer nutrients allowing the mixture to stand in a naturally formed windrow or windrows of substantially triangular cross section with a predetermined amount of moisture therein monitoring the temperature of the windrow until such time as there is a significant drop in temperature indicating that the chemical reaction has been completed.

Abstract: Concentrated phosphorus fertilizers of the phosphorous variety are described which are absorbed quickly into plant systems and improve plant growth. When diluted with water, there is formed a substantially fully soluble fertilizer having a foilage-acceptable pH.

Abstract: The disclosure explains various methods of recovering byproduct heat from a compost stack while the compost stack is in a bacteria active stage. Several beneficial uses of the recovered heat are explained with specific examples given. Usage of the recovered heat to accelerate a bacteria active stage in a second compost stack provides for uniform degradation of the compostable material contained within the second compost stack. This results from reduction of areas within the compost stack which are at differing periods within the composting cycle. Alternatively, usage of the recovered heat to heat a building is explained. Various shapes of aeration plates are explained with examples given.

Abstract: Garbage resulting from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food and containing water-insoluble organic components is treated first heated in the presence of water at a temperature of 100.degree.-400.degree. C. and a pressure higher than the saturated water vapor pressure to convert at least part of the water-insoluble components into water-soluble organic components and to obtain a mixture containing the water-soluble components dissolved in the water. The mixture is then subjected to methane fermentation to convert the water-soluble organic components into methane.

Abstract: Non-corrosive nitrogen containing fertilizer solutions are provided which contain effective levels of corrosion inhibitors which are monocarboxylic acids or polycarboxylic acids, or their salts, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A batch process for the conversion of organic solid waste material containing cellulose and lignin through liquid thermophilic aerobic digestion comprises comminuting the organic solid waste material, adjusting the moisture content of the comminuted material to at least 90% parts by weight of water, mixing the comminuted material with a thermophilic aerobic micro-organism, adjusting the pH of the mixture to 5.5-7.5 and supplying heat and oxygen to the mixture to effect thermophilic aerobic digestion of the mixture. The thermophilic aerobic digestion of the mixture is terminated after the mixture has stabilized as a low nitrogen material but prior to digestion of the cellulose and lignin in the mixture, and the stabilized mixture is separated into solid and liquid fractions. The process includes the monitoring of parameters for determining the termination of digestion.

Abstract: A soil additive including lignonsulfonate, humic acid, an inert filler, such as bentonite clay, and a metal salt selected from anhydrous borax, magnesium sulfate, copper sulfate, iron sulfate, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfate, ammonium sulfate and gypsum. The composition may also include a predetermined concentration of a surfactant to increase the breakdown of the composition in water.

Abstract: Controlled release, particulate fertilizer products having a water soluble fertilizer central mass encased in a plurality of water insoluble, abrasion resistant coatings plus coating compositions and methods for the production of such products are disclosed. At least one essential inner coating is an epoxide reaction product ofA. at least one epoxide resin containing at least about 2 epoxide moieties per molecule, andB. at least one amine curing agent containing at least about two N--H moieties/molecule.

Abstract: Improved solvent systems for the formulation of N-alkyl thiophosphoric triamide urease inhibitors. These formulations enable the preparation of stable concentrated solutions of N-alkyl thiophosphoric triamides for storage, transportation, and eventual impregnation onto solid urea containing fertilizers and incorporation into liquid urea containing fertilizer compositions. These formulations are comprised primarily of a solvent selected from the group consisting of glycols and glycol derivatives. Optionally, in addition to the glycol base solvent, the formulations can contain a co-solvent selected from the group consisting of liquid amides, 2-pyrrolidone and N-alkyl 2-pyrrolidones, and/or a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkylaryl polyether alcohols. The presence of the co-solvent and/or surfactant has been found to impart desirable properties to the formulations under certain conditions.

Abstract: Processes and structures for using calcium cyanamide fertilizer in a manner to greatly enhance its most effective soil treatment form prior to its application. Calcium cyanamide transformation structures have both fertilizing and pesticidal qualities; however, it is difficult to obtain uniform, efficient effectiveness from dry calcium cyanamide's liquid transformation structures. In the process of this invention, dry, dusty granules and fines of calcium cyanamide are placed directly into tanks of liquid for transformation or within biodegradable bags through which water can freely flow. The bags are submerged in a tank of water. The insoluble calcium and carbon components thereof remain as solid residuals within the bags. Hydrolysis occurs and the solution is biocidal and ready for immediate application. The solution can be sprayed or irrigated onto a targeted soil area with conventional dispersal equipment. The remaining non-dissolved material in the bags can be dispersed on and into the plant crop soil.

Abstract: A process for producing a dried bacterial agricultural product having superior viability initially involves culturing (fermenting) a species of microorganism in a growth medium to form a culture. The culture containing the microorganism plus the growth medium is then mixed with a carrier. The resulting mixture is incubated for at least one day to increase the microorganism count in the mixture. The mixture is then air dried slowly for at least about one day so the moisture level in the microorganisms is gradually reduced to form the dried composition. The process may further include steps of milling and then coating seeds with the composition. An inoculant composition according to the invention, which may be made by the foregoing process, consists essentially of a clay carrier and at least 10.sup.9 viable bacteria per gram of the composition. Compositions containing biocidal microbes which combat insects, fungi or the like, and other useful microbes, such as growth promoting bacteria, may also be prepared.