Abstract: A composition for protecting plants against chitinous pathogens and/or treating infestations of chitinous pathogens comprises pellets which include a source of chitin and a bacteria capable of producing chitinase. In certain embodiments, the bacteria are in the form of spores. In some embodiments, the pellets may include a binder material. In some embodiments, the chitin source may form a core of each pellet and the core may be at least partially surrounded by one or more layers of the bacteria.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to compositions of a pelletized form which are well suited for use as inoculants in the manufacture or casting of molten metals. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of making such pelletized compositions from waste materials which bear silicon carbide or both silicon carbide and silicon.

Abstract: One aspect of the present relates to compositions of a pelletized form which are well suited for use as inoculants in the manufacture or casting of molten metals. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of making such pelletized compositions from waste materials which bear silicon carbide or both silicon carbide and silicon.

Abstract: Pozzolan compositions incorporate glassy, amorphous particulates derived from byproducts of processes in which substantial energy was invested in generating those byproducts, at least one of which comprises amorphous calcium silicate slag generated as a byproduct of phosphorous production. The calcium silicate particulate is blended with one or more additional pozzolans, preferably one or more particulates of a material selected from the group consisting of fused silica of the type generated as a byproduct of making refractory grade fused silica and cullet glass of the type rejected from glass making processes. Pozzolanic cements incorporating up to about 50% by weight of such pozzolan compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Pozzolan compositions incorporate glassy, amorphous particulates derived from byproducts of processes in which substantial energy was invested in generating those byproducts, at least one of which comprises amorphous calcium silicate slag generated as a byproduct of phosphorous production. The calcium silicate particulate is blended with one or more additional pozzolans, preferably one or more particulates of a material selected from the group consisting of fused silica of the type generated as a byproduct of making refractory grade fused silica and cullet glass of the type rejected from glass making processes. Pozzolanic cements incorporating up to about 50% by weight of such pozzolan compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Controlled release fertilizers containing water-soluble nutrients such as potassium nitrate which are easily leached from the fertilizer by moisture in the soil have a coating which more efficiently retards the release of the nutrients and also provides citric acid soluble silicon to the soil. Nutrient particles are first coated wtih a colloid formed by the acidification of preconditioned calcium metasilicate with citric acid and then mixed with cement. The calcium metasilicate is preconditioned by heating to a temperature of at least 1300.degree. C. to sinter at least a portion of the silicate. The nutrient particles are then pelletized and cured to form a silica gel matrix containing acicular calcium metasilicate and a cement coating on the pellets.