Abstract: A method of preparing a slow releasing fertilizer, including the steps of: I) putting twenty parts of inorganic fertilizer and one part of water by weight into a mixer for mixing into a mixture; II) heating the mixture to 105.degree. C.-115.degree. C. and continuously mixing it, therefore causing the mixture to change to liquid state; III) putting zeolite into the liquefied mixture at a volume of about 3 times of that of the inorganic fertilizer by weight, and then continuously heating and mixing until the liquefied fertilizer is absorbed completely by zeolite; IV) cooling down the liquefied mixture with air to below 80.degree. C., causing the mixture to return to the solid state condition; VI) continuously cooling solid state mixture with air to below 50.degree. C., then adding gelatinous substance to the mixture and continuously mixing it; VII) air drying the mixture into the desired finished product.

Abstract: Methods for improving the bioremediation of soil and other organic material that has been contaminated by hydrocarbon waste are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a microbial nutrient composition comprises a stable, bi-continuous first and second phase. The first phase comprises an aqueous solution of microbial nutrients and the second phase comprising a hydrocarbon liquid and a mixture of surfactants combined in amounts sufficient to render the mixture of first and second phases a liquid at a first temperature and as a waxy solid at a lower second temperature.In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating hydrocarbon contaminated soils and water by applying to the soil or water a microbial nutrient composition which is in the liquid state when it is applied and which forms a waxy solid at temperatures below the application temperature.

Abstract: A substantially neutral metal alkanoate solution suitable for application of the constituent micronutrient metal to agricultural crops or acreage where such crops are to be grown, is disclosed. Alkanoates having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms are preferred, with acetates most preferred. Metals selected from the group consisting of boron, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, sodium and zinc are preferred, with zinc particularly preferred. The compositions of the present invention remain soluble at and below freezing temperatures for extending periods, and exhibits a high degree of miscibility in fertilizers. A method of manufacturing the compositions of the present invention is disclosed, in which a metal oxide is dispersed in water, ammonia is added to the dispersion, and acid is added to the basic dispersion to solubilize and substantially neutralize the dispersion and create an aqueous micronutrient solution.

Abstract: A method for producing a dry bonded solid nonionic surfactant/fertilizer adjuvant system comprising spray-coating dry water-soluble, nitrogen-containing fertilizer particles, preferably diammonium sulfate with the surfactant composition and the coated compositions produced thereby.

Abstract: A slow release fertilizer or pesticide composition and a method for making the same is provided. The composition is made by combining thermoplastic resin with cellulosic material and then adding a fertilizer or pesticide. The thermoplastic resin and the cellulosic material preferably come from the solid waste stream. The resulting composition can be molded into various articles or ground into a granular powder.

Abstract: This invention has for its object to provide a matrix which finds application as a plant culture medium which is light-weight, possessed of large moisture and fertilizer holding capacities, easy to dispose of after use, and benign to the environment or a microorganism-immobilizing support capable of immobilizing a large population of microorganisms with remarkably improved long-term viability and providing for markedly improved colonization and growth rates. The matrix of this invention is composed predominantly of polysaccharide and lignin and has an internal pore structure.

Abstract: A particulate urea product having improved anticaking and nonfriable properties and which is useful for either direct application to the soil or as an intermediate product for the subsequent incorporation with other fertilizer materials into solid bulk blends. The product consists of an admixture of urea and a finely divided mineral filler selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous, sodium bentonite, calcium bentonite, kaolin, zeolite and ball clay and is in either granular or prill form.

Abstract: A plant or part of a plant with or without roots is placed in contact with a solid and/or liquid nutrient composition which includes a compound which can be or which includes components which can be broken down into a sugar. The plant is able to survive without any or with only minimal supplies of water. It is believed that the nutrient composition increases the process of glycolysis in the plant and therefore increases the storage of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and other byproducts and thereby permits continued metabolism of the plant without requiring water.

Abstract: An artificial soil composition and a method of growing vegetation on a sloped surface, especially a cut rock surface are disclosed. The artificial soil composition includes peat, granular soil, sewage sediment formed by the treatment of urban waste for example and pulp sludge formed by the de-watering of fibrous material and is a byproduct of the manufacture of paper from wood pulp. The artificial soil composition is applied over a meshing which is secured over a sloped cut rock surface. Plants are grown in the layer of artificial soil. Experimentally, the artificial soil is shown to have an increased adhesion to the inclined surface compared to natural soil, promotes plant growth and retains water to a greater extent than natural soil but does not cause an environmental hazard resulting from the leaching of compounds in the run-off water.The preferred concentrations of the constituents by weight are: peat (10-30%) granular soil (10-30%) sewage sediment (40-60%) and pulp sludge (25-44%).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of decontaminating soil and/or sediments containing DDT type contaminants by converting these contaminants into harmless materials thereby decontaminating the soil to whatever extent desired, either partial decontamiation or complete remediation. The process comprises treating solid and/or sediment which contains populations of viable anaerobic and aerobic microbes capable of transforming DDT type contaminants into harmless materials and being viable under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of decontaminating soil and/or sediments containing DDT type contaminants by converting these contaminants into harmless materials thereby decontaminating the soil to whatever extent desired, either partial decontamination or complete remediation.

Abstract: A method for processing a liquid nitrogen-rich organic waste product, in particular a manure product, to an aqueous fertilizer solution utilizes a biological conversion process so as to obtain a biologically stable fertilizer solution. This conversion process includes at least a nitrification step wherein nitrifiable ammonium nitrogen is converted in nitrate nitrogen and, only if the fraction to be nitrified has a too high content of nitrifiable nitrogen, a denitrification step. The fertilizer solution is separated off after the nitrification step so that it contains nitrate and only up to 150 mg NH.sub.4.sup.+ -N/l at most. The fertilizer solution can be used as leaf nutrition or in a hydroponic system.

Abstract: Products for the variable controlled release of water soluble agents are disclosed. The products have a core of water soluble agent and a first and second coating. The first coating has a permeability such that the agent can be released at a controlled rate, while the second coating has a relatively low water vapor transmission rate. Variation in the coating thicknesses and coating conditions result in nutrient release profiles which can be tailored to specific plant requirements. After application of the product, release of the agent is negligible, but after a predetermined time, e.g. one month or more, substantial release of the agent from the coated product begins. The product is particularly suitable for delayed, controlled release fertilizers.

Abstract: The essence of the invention resides in that in production of a solid product obtained in a reactor (1) by way of synthesis from source components and serving as a raw material for preparing a solution of salt and/or fertilizer, a pulp is obtained and then loaded in a container (2) at fixed temperatures corresponding to crystallization of the product to a hydraulically compacted state of preset degrees. The same container (2) is used for transportation and storage of the hydraulically compacted crystals. The solution of salt and/or fertilizer is prepared within preset concentration and dosage just before its application by the user (4), and the crystals are dissolved in the same container (2). If required the product is transferred into another container.

Abstract: A process for disposal of organic waste containing large quantities of fat or oil. A sample of the waste is decomposed in soil containing ample quantities of nutrients required for decomposition, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus. Resulting test data indicates how much nutrient material is required for decomposition, and how much, and when, nutrient material is released to the soil after decomposition. The waste is then incorporated into soil in a field, and nutrients are applied to induce a rapid decomposition phase in which soil organisms absorb and immobilize the applied nutrients to decompose the waste and a subsequent mineralization phase in which the soil organisms release nutrients to the soil. A crop is appropriately selected and planted to begin absorbing significant quantities of soil available nutrients during the mineralization phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a granular fertilizer with a multilayer coating comprising a first layer containing at least one rapidly biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of a rapidly biodegradable aliphatic polyester and a rapidly biodegradable polyurethane compound, and a water-insoluble second layer containing at least one slowly biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of a slowly biodegradable cellulose derivative, low molecular weight polyethylene, low molecular weight wax and low molecular weight paraffin or light-degradable resins. The granular fertilizer with a multilayer coating of the present invention is characterized in that it is coated with coating materials having different dissolving-out rates, that dissolving-out of the fertilizer nutrients is controlled, and that the coating does not persist after the nutrients are dissolved out. Accordingly, the granular fertilizer coated with a multilayer of the present invention has less damaging effects on nature.

Abstract: Molten, water soluble polymer is used as a binder for agriculturally effective active ingredients in a water free encapsulation process. For finely divided solid active ingredients, a solvent for the binder can be used to increase the amount of bound active ingredient. For water insoluble active ingredients, the binder provides a method for rendering the active ingredient dispersable in water.

Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to develop agent combinations having an improved synergistic effect with regard to the inhibition or control of ammonium nitrogen nitrification.It was unexpectedly found that agent combinations which consist of at least one compound of the general formula ##STR1## with M with n=1 and greater than 1--in case of coordination compounds--standing for several mono- and multivalent metal ions, but being negated with n=0 in case of metal salts of substituted pyrazoles,A being the counterion in case of anion complexes and pyrazolates, preferably ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth, the 3-methyl pyrazolium cation in case of anion complexes and additionally Fe and Al in case of metal salts; b being in the range of 0 to 4,X being the same or different and embodying several mono- and multivalent inorganic or organic anions with q=0 to 6,R.sub.1 being hydrogen, methyl or halogen andZ representing hydrogen, CONH.sub.2, CNHNH.sub.2 or CSNH.sub.

Abstract: A dry flowable fertilizer mixture is provided that contains soluble seaweed extract and fish solubles. Calcium silicate is added to the mixture to prevent excessive caking and thereby maintain the flowability of the fertilizer mixture. Chelated iron is also added to the mixture, preferably with EDTA. Chelated trace elements and micronutrients available from seaweed and fish solubles can thereby be made available to plants by applying a dilute solution of the fertilizer mixture.