Abstract: A rapid, low temperature process for solubilizing phosphate rocks having high content of foreign matter or a low phosphorus content to obtain: (a) a slow release fertilizer of the NP type; (b) phosphoric acid of high concentration plus MAP; and (c) DAP.

Abstract: Apatite is conventionally made into a fertilizer material by treatment with a strong acid, requiring capital-intensive industry. Hydroxyapatite is treated above 1100.degree. C. with alkali but world reserves are problematic. The invention treats apatite at 900.degree. C. with sodium aluminosilicate/carbonate and siliceous material in quantities to keep the composition in terms of CaO, SiO.sub.2, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 in or near the ternary system Ca.sub.2 SiO.sub.4 --Ca.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2 --CaNaPO.sub.4.

Abstract: Storage-stable nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium fertilizer granules and prills are made by adding to a molten or aqueous solution mixture of ammonium nitrate and ammonium phosphate, a particulate potassium salt, typically potassium chloride, in which the particles have an average size no greater than 55 microns and less than 1% by weight of the particles are larger than 150 microns. The potassium salt is added without the need for preheating and at a temperature of between 5.degree. and 40.degree. C. to the mixture where it is simultaneously converted. The resulting mixture is granulated or prilled into NPK fertilizer particles.

Abstract: A process for the granulation of potash salts to produce granules in high yield by the steps of mixing the potash salt with an inorganic phosphate binder and water, granulating the mixture and drying it.

Abstract: Apatite is conventionally made into a fertilizer material by treatment with a strong acid, requiring capital-intensive industry. Hydroxyapatite is treated above 1100 C. with alkali but world reserves are problematic. The invention treats apatite at 900 C. with sodium aluminosilicate/carbonate and siliceous material in quantities to keep the composition in terms of CaO, SiO.sub.2, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 in or near the ternary system Ca.sub.2 SiO.sub.4 --Ca.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2 --CaNaPO.sub.4.

Abstract: A substrate for the cultivation of plants in greenhouses or outdoors comprises klinoptylolite zeolite, vermiculite and peat in specified particle size ranges and relationships, with enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus content, to provide a highly versatile and surprisingly effective active growing medium.

Abstract: A stable liquid fertilizer solution containing nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and optionally sulfur is prepared by mixing a water-soluble iron compound with ammonium polyphosphate and water to produce an iron phosphate slurry having a molar ratio of polyphosphate phosphorus to iron of at least about 2:1, adding ammonia to the iron phosphate slurry to produce a solubilized iron complex; and adding an inorganic acid to the iron complex solution. The amount of acid added is generally that which brings the pH of the fertilizer solution to within the range of about 5.5 to 7.0.

Abstract: A composition of matter for use as a vitreous fertilizer comprising a soluble vitreous constituent comprising the following ingredients: 35 to 55 moles %, P.sub.2 O.sub.5 ; less than 10 moles %, K.sub.2 O; and the balance to 100 moles %, CaO and/or MgO. The balance of the composition, if any, is constituted by optional additions of nutrient proportions of one or more micro-nutrients in plant assimilable form, and/or optional additions of one or more plant-inert filler materials. Such compositions have favorable nutrient release rates. The invention also encompasses compositions of matter adapted for use as a plant fertilizer which comprises soluble vitreous plant nutrient release material in expanded or cellular form, and to methods of plant cultivation using such compositions.

Abstract: Particulate, easy to handle, inexpensive combination soil amendments and micronutrient sources are disclosed along with methods for their manufacture and use. These compositions comprise highly porous sulfur particles having substantial internal surface area with the micronutrient source dispersed either throughout the sulfur matrix or over the interior surfaces. Major plant nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can also be added but are not essential. These methods allow the use of inexpensive, abundant starting materials, afford slow release sulfur and micronutrient solubility and mobility, reduced micronutrient loss by elution, and minimum ground water pollution and plant toxicity problems associated with heavy metal contamination.

Abstract: A liquid fertilizer comprises a polyborate compound. The polyborate compound is formed by reacting a boric acid compound with an alkanolamine or an aliphatic polyamine.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is the method of preparation of multicomponent fertilizers based upon the decomposition process of mineral phosphate material by ammonium sulphate and sulphuric acid. This method has application in chemical industry.The invention concerns the method of preparation of multicomponent fertilizers relying upon the decomposition of mineral phosphate material by sulphuric acid and ammonium sulphate. The basis of the method relies upon the mineral phosphate material undergoing wet milling with the acid and sulfate and as a result of which mechanically-induced chemical processes occur the decomposition of the apatite structure of material takes place. The milled mixture is introduced into reactors-crystallizers, where further decomposition of the phosphate material and phosphate gypsum crystallization takes place.

Abstract: A slow release fertilizer composition providing to a plant a controlled amount of plant primary nutrients and micronutrients over a prolonged period of time is described. The solubility and concentration of each of the plant nutrients is determined by the addition to the fertilizer composition of specified fertilizer constituents or components which on going into solution coact to control at an optimum concentration each of the plant nutrients. The slow release fertilizer composition comprises the plant primary nutrients nitrogen, phosphorous, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, and potassium and the plant micronutrients iron, manganese, zinc, copper and boron. A single application of the fertilizer composition of the present invention provides sufficient plant nutrients for a full growing season or one or more growing seasons.

Abstract: A process for treating thickened phosphatic clay suspensions produced in the processing of phosphate ore by water beneficiation, and which have a solids content of from about 5% to about 30%. A deflocculating agent is mixed with the suspension to cause deflocculation of the suspension to an extent sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the sludge to a value enabling the deflocculated suspension to be readily pumped from one location to another. The deflocculated suspension is subsequently mixed with an additive compound comprising an alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide in an amount sufficient to cause the formation of large silicate molecules with resultant gelling and setting of the sludge into an inert solid material.

Abstract: Langbeinite (2MgSO.sub.4,K.sub.2 SO.sub.4) is reacted with diammonium phosphate (NH.sub.4).sub.2 HPO.sub.4 to yield a dry farm field fertilizer of grade 21-12-7+1.22 Mg.The chemical process is also adjusted for a dry farm field "double cropping" fertilizer.The cost of the basic liquid fertilizer containing Magnesium has been likewise reduced.These fertilizers contain magnesium in the presence of phosphorus.The micronutrients, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B may be added in rates proportional to the deficiency shown by soil tests.

Abstract: A granulation process for the production of high purity granules of salt material comprising:(a) a wet blend formed by intensively mixing together(i) particles of soluble fine water-soluble salt having a relatively wide size distribution over the range of from about -30 to about +325 screen size (Tyler mesh),(ii) water insoluble particles of about -150 screen size (Tyler mesh) with surface area above 1 M.sup.2 /gr, and(iii) sufficient water or saturated water solution to provide a moisture content of up to about 20% and preferably in the range of from about 5 to 15% by weight of the mixture,(b) granulating the wet blend from (a), preferably by pan granulation, and(c) drying and recovering the granular product.The product comprises a granular salt product which has the properties of high purity (up to 99% salt), uniform size distribution in the range of from about 2 to 4 mm, a crush strength of greater than about 3 lb/granule and generally in the range of from about 5 to 10 lbs.

Abstract: An improved process in the preparation of sustained release fertilizer compositions which comprises subjecting a preponderantly water-soluble granular fertilizer composition first to accretive granulation under accretive granulation conditions with a melt, solution or slurry of one or several fertilizers and in a second stage coating these treated grains with a suitable almost impermeable envelopment.

Abstract: Potassium polyphosphate polymers having ratios of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 to K.sub.2 O which make them suitable as fertilizer products are prepared by reacting potassium fluosilicate also known as potassium silicofluoride with phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid at temperatures of about 250-500.degree. C.

Abstract: A stable, homogeneous, and flowable soil neutralizing slurry of particulate material such as calcium carbonate or dolomitic lime as provided using a suspending agent and a dispersant. A polyanionic dispersant is used in limited quantities to increase the concentration of particulate material and a gelling grade clay mineral is used as a suspending agent to prevent settling of the dispersed particulate material. A partial dispersion technique is used whereby the amount of dispersant used is limited so that the particulate material is dispersed but not the clay mineral.

Abstract: A method of providing a complete treatment for containerized plants so that they need never have tap water and fertilizer applied thereto, and a water solution for use in the complete treatment method. The water solution has a pH between 5.8 and 6.4 and less than 10 ppm Na and 5 ppm Cl, and at least 6 ppm N (in nitrate form), 6 ppm P, 25 ppm K, 3.6 ppm Mg, 14 ppm SO.sub.4, and 0.05 ppm Fe. The water solution is periodically applied to containerized plants in place of tap water and fertilizer, and healthy plants result.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of producing multicomponent soil additives. The compositions comprise particle-form combinations of calcium sulfate and a nitrifier selected from urea, ammonium nitrate, and combinations of these, in which the nitrifier particles are coated with a layer of the reaction product of hydrated calcium sulfate and urea, ammonium nitrate, or both. This layer, in turn, contains an additional soil additive such as elemental sulfur or the major and minor plant nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc and the like. The particles are produced by reacting the particle-form nitrifier, preferably urea or ammonium nitrate prills, with hydrated calcium sulfate intimately mixed with one or more additional soil additives and a binder supplement comprising powdered urea and/or ammonium nitrate having particle sizes below 30 mesh.

Abstract: This invention relates to a particulate multicomponent soil additive, a method of applying that additive to soils to improve the agronomic quality of the same, and methods of producing such multicomponent soil additives. The compositions comprise particle-form combinations of calcium sulfate and a nitrifier selected from urea, ammonium nitrate, and combinations of these, in which the nitrifier particles are coated with a layer of the reaction product of hydrated calcium sulfate and urea, ammonium nitrate, or both. This layer, in turn, contains an additional soil additive such as elemental sulfur or the major and minor plant nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc and the like. The particles are produced by reacting the particle-form nitrifier, preferably urea or ammonium nitrate prills, with hydrated calcium sulfate intimately mixed with one or more additional soil additives.

Abstract: This invention relates to a particulate multicomponent soil additive, a method of applying that additive to soils to improve the agronomic quality of the same, and methods of producing such multicomponent soil additives. The compositions comprise particle-form combinations of calcium sulfate and a nitrifier selected from urea, ammonium nitrate, and combinations of these, in which the nitrifier particles are coated with a layer of the reaction product of hydrated calcium sulfate and urea, ammonium nitrate, or both. This layer, in turn, contains an additional soil additive such as elemental sulfur or the major and minor plant nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc and the like. The particles are produced by reacting the particle-form nitrifier, preferably urea or ammonium nitrate prills, with hydrated calcium sulfate intimately mixed with one or more additional soil additives.

Abstract: In foliar application of zinc nitrate in aqueous solution, zinc absorption by leaves is facilitated by incorporating in the solution a synergistic combination of said zinc nitrate, ammonium nitrate and urea.

Abstract: Granular products for the treatment of soil are described which comprises a central solid nucleus containing fertilizer, herbicide, or a mixture of fertilizer and herbicide, all soluble in water without decomposition, as well as, about each product a coating consisting of solid materials at least 40% of which are soluble in water without decomposition, and at least 15% of which consist of active material different from that of the nucleus, and a polymeric resin the amount of which does not exceed 10% of the total weight of the coating. Comparative tests are described which show that these novel granular products can be as readily dissolved in the soil as uncoated fertilizer granules.

Abstract: An aqueous micronutrient fertilizer foliage spray solution for plants cultivated on peat soils which comprises 0.1 to 5% Mn.sup.2.sup.+ 0.03 to 1.2% Cu.sup.2.sup.+ and 0 to 1.6% Fe.sup.2.sup.+ ions with reference the total weight of the solution and having a weight ratio of Cu.sup.2.sup.+ to Mn.sup.2.sup.+ between 1:3 to 1:6, said solution being aqueous and containing tartaric acid in an amount of 0.05 to 2% by weight and 0.02 to 0.8% by weight of a chelating agent. The solution having a pH of 4 to 6.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for home production and application of fixed nitrogen fertilizer uses an arc discharge process to ionize nitrogen and oxygen and form nitrogen oxides. These nitrogen oxides are injected into water supplied by a garden hose to a yard or garden. The device is compact, economical and requires no raw materials except air to produce the fixed nitrogen. The device may operate on ordinary 60 cycles, 110 volt power.

Abstract: A fertilizer from which potassium is released slowly comprises a frit produced from a potassium/silicon composition in the range K.sub.2 O.2SiO.sub.2 to K.sub.2 O.4SiO.sub.2 and containing from 5.5% to less than 10% by weight of calcium oxide.

Abstract: Pulverized phosphate rock is spread onto or mixed into soil which is to be fertilized. The soil is then treated with a solution of sulfurous acid, usually the output of a device which burns sulfur in air to form sulfur dioxide and then dissolves the sulfur dioxide in water. The water may be irrigation water which thereupon both irrigates the soil and reacts with the phosphate rock to fertilize the soil. Common phosphate ores include a substantial amount of calcium, with which, and with oxygen, the sulfurous acid reacts to form gypsum (calcium sulfate). Gypsum is a widely-used corrective substance applied to croplands, and the gypsum formed by this treatment reduces the requirement to purchase gypsum as a product separate from the fertilizer. Substantially all of the phosphorus contained in the rock can ultimately be solubilized as "available phosphate", with the use of this process.

Abstract: A plant growth medium is disclosed having a polyurethane matrix with at least 40% and preferably 50 to 55% open cells, and from about 36% to about 50% (and more for example 60%) by weight of a granular filler dispersed throughout the polyurethane matrix, which filler comprises about 69% to about 78% by weight of clay of relatively high cation-exchange capacity, such as a calcium-hydrogen montmorillonite clay, and from about 22% to about 31% by weight plant nutrients and their carriers.

Abstract: Potassium bisulfate is prevented from caking by treatment with finely ground phosphate rock.

Abstract: Fertilizer materials, especially potassium dihydrogen phosphate, are produced by the reaction of phosphate rock or a solubilized form thereof, such as mono calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, etc., concentrated sulfuric acid, potassium hydrogen sulfate and, optionally fresh or recycle phosphoric acid, the resulting mixture is filtered to remove the calcium sulfate precipitate and the potassium dihydrogen phosphate is recovered from the filtrate, either by concentration and filtration or by extraction with an organic solvent.