Abstract: A product and a process is disclosed for the purpose of biodegrading organic chemical spills on water or land in situ. The product is a dried, macerated plant or vegetable material having a small oil or wax content enabling it to preferentially absorb oil in the presence of water. The product, specifically cotton gin trash, carries a microbial inoculum consisting of indigenous microbes which biodegrade the organic chemical, specifically petroleum hydrocarbons. The process consists of applying the macerated cotton gin trash to the surface of the hydrocarbons floating on water or covering the land. Upon contact of the product with water a dormant inocula of microorganisms are revived. They increase in numbers because of food present in the product, biodegrading the chemical spill in situ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the protection of the environment, particularly the soil and ground water, by biological degradation of unwanted chemical and biological entities often finding their way into soils. The process of the present invention utilizes the well known methods of the art of composting but specifically selects the raw plant materials to be composted from plant groups having carbon:nitrogen ratios of approximately 10:1 to 30:1 of carbon and nitrogen content. Examples of said special plant material being from members of the plant family Leguminosae, and specifically Gossypium hirsutum (cotton). By means of certain modifications of the art of composting said special plant materials, disclosed herein, generate a special humic substrate which supports an indigenous microflora and fauna capable of degrading a number of unwanted substances harmful to man, animals and plants; examples being certain petroleum hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbon pesticides and soil borne plant pathogens.

Abstract: Improved agricultural technology has increased yields of cereal crops to a level wherein the crop residues left on the land are of such volume as to interfere with the following crop. Historically, these residues have been incinerated and the practice continues to this day, polluting the air, causing health problems, destroying valuable natural plant foods and soil humus. It is the nature of cereal crop residues to degrade slowly because of their low nitrogen content and complex polysaccharide chemical moieties. This application teaches that by crushing and shredding the crop residue and applying a liquid nutrient enrichment medium for the growth of the native soil microflora decay can be accelerated.

Abstract: A biochemical process for the aerobic thermophyllic fermentation of cotton gin waste is disclosed which converts a presently useless pest ridden agricultural waste product into a useful medium for the culture of horticultural and agronomic plants as well as microorganisms useful to man. By the aeration, water content and physical shape and size of the waste product, piles are so conditioned that by means of the resulting biodegradation processes plant pathogenic microorganisms, insects, viruses, spider mites and related pests are destroyed. Additionally, pesticidal residues, chemical plant growth regulators and certain harvest aid materials normally added to the growing cotton crop for production purposes are reduced to materials harmless to plant life. The resulting humus like material provides improved plant growth, nearly five times that of a good river loam soil, and contains a microbial population that prevents the spread of soil borne plant pathogenic microorganisms reintroduced into the medium.

Abstract: A biochemical process for the aerobic thermophyllic fermentation of cotton gin waste is disclosed which converts a presently useless pest ridden agricultural waste product into a useful medium for the culture of horticultural and agronomic plants as well as micoorganisms useful to man. By the aeration, water content and physical shape and size of the waste product, piles are so conditioned that by means of the resulting biodegradation processes plant pathogenic microorganisms, insects, viruses, spider mites and related pests are destroyed. Additionally, pesticidal residues, chemical plant growth regulators and certain harvest aid materials normally added to the growing cotton crop for production purposes are reduced to materials harmless to plant life. The resulting humus like material provides improved plant growth, nearly five times that of a good river loam soil, and contains a microbial population that prevents the spread of soil borne plant pathogenic microorganisms reintroduced into the medium.