Abstract: An agricultural material composition comprises particles of an agricultural material, e.g. a fertilizer, coated with a layer of protein degraded pre-vulcanized natural rubber to provide slow-release properties. The particles preferably have a diameter of from 0.5 to 12 mm, and the thickness of the rubber layer is preferably from 10 to 250 microns.

Abstract: A plant fertilizer composition comprises an admixture of particulate coal containing releasable plant nutrients, sodium molybdate for releasing said plant nutrients and auxiliary plant nutrient agents.

Abstract: A method for improving the water conservation properties of soil. The method increases the ability of the soil to absorb and retain water and acts to stabilize the loosening of break-up of the soil.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of facilitating vegetation with the aid of a fungal mycelium biomass in admixture with a polybutadiene and application forms comprising such components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method for increasing the biological value of manures, dung-waters, organic wastes and/or soils rich in lysine. According to the invention manure, dung-water, an organic waste and/or soil rich in lysine, either of natural composition or supplemented with lysine, a lysine source and/or one or more agricultural chemical(s), is treated with at least 0.01 mole of formaldehyde or an equivalent amount of a formaldehyde source, calculated for one mole of free or bound lysine present.The treatment according to the invention results in a significant increase of plant growth and crop yield.

Abstract: Certain polychloromethyl-substituted benzene and naphthalene compounds are useful for suppressing the nitrification of ammonium nitrogen in soil.

Abstract: The product and method for forming the invention utilizes a base material of straw. The straw is coated with a water insoluble material which provides a slow decomposition when subjected to moisture and microbial action and which also in some cases can provide a release of nutrient as it decomposes. After applying the coating, the product is formed into compressed units for curing and then is ground into particles to provide a soil-like texture for use as a potting soil or for nursery beds.

Abstract: Solid particles of metal peroxide are coated by means of a coating agent containing a water-soluble condensed phospahte.

Abstract: A reagent mixture is admixed with soil to first desorb and then hydrolyze and thereby increase the biodegradability of a toxic or otherwise hazardous polyhalogenated organic compound with which the soil is contaminated. Essential constituents of the reagent mixture are: (1) an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal hydroxide/alcohol or alkali metal hyroxide/glycol mixture, or an alkoxide; and (2) a sulfoxide catalyst. The hydrolyzed compounds can be biologically degraded into compounds which pose little if any hazard to the environment or its inhabitants by naturally occurring or artifically introduced Pseudomonas sp. and other microorganisms with adjustment of soil pH (and perhaps orther parameters) to provide a viable environment for the bacteria being carried out after the chemical treatment if inoculation with bacterial cultures is employed.

Abstract: A method of producing soil conditioners from waste material, and of utilizing the internal energy thereof, while reducing the volume of the waste material at the same time, is disclosed in which initially compacts of a refuse-sludge mixture are subjected to intense rotting whereby the water content thereof is reduced from an initial value of about 50 to 60 percent to about 30 percent, preferably 20 percent, and whereby the compacts become dried and storable. The dried and storable compacts are ground or screened, or both, with the screened out fine fraction being directly usable as a soil conditioner, and then the ground or screened, or both, compacts are thermally treated by one of low temperature carbonization and combustion.

Abstract: Process of preparing a solid controlled release urea-formaldehyde fertilizer composition comprising preparing an aqueous mixture of urea, formaldehyde and ammonia, heating the mixture, acidifying the mixture to initiate methylene urea polymerization and heating to complete methylene urea polymerization and dry the reaction products. The process is carried out under conditions such that the majority of polymeric nitrogen present in the final product consists of short chain methylene urea polymers selected from the group consisting of methylene diurea, dimethylene triurea and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method and composition for the elimination and control of ammonia odor from organic waste materials by contacting the waste material with a composition containing a deodorizing agent which produces a non-odorous ammonia salt, thereby eliminating gaseous ammonia from escaping into the air. The present invention also eliminates additional odors resulting from putrefaction due to ammonia fixing bacteria.

Abstract: A fertilizer for the long term and uniform supply of plants with nutrient ions comprising a covalently crosslinked hydrogel in which are embedded ion exchangers which are laden with plant nutrients; furthermore a process for the long term and uniform supply of plants with nutrient ions wherein a covalently crosslinked hydrogel in which are embedded ion exchangers which are laden with plant nutrients is applied to the plants or their environment.

Abstract: Process for improving the plant growth with the aid of ion exchanger fertilizers, comprising adding to the growth medium weakly basic anion exchangers which are charged with anionic chelate complexes of micronutrient cations and macronutrient and micronutrient anions to the extent of at least 60% of their total capacity together with weakly acid cation exchangers charged with nutrient cations to the extent of at least 60% of their total capacity. Furthermore fertilizers comprising a mixture of weakly basic anion exchanger which are charged with anionic chelate complexes of micronutrient cations and other micronutrient and macronutrient anions to the extent of at least 60% of their total capacity and weakly acid cation exchangers which are charged with nutrient cations to the extent of at least 60% of their total capacity.

Abstract: Substantially spherical, water-degradable, sulphur clay particles or prills are provided; the particles are formed by passing a mixture of molten sulphur and a particulate swelling clay through a plurality of orifices and into an aqueous solution of a water soluble electrolyte salt, maintained at a temperature effective to cool the mixture below its solidification temperature. An improved apparatus is also provided in which a high constant static head of molten material is let down to a low static head whereby molten material at low velocity falls under gravity into the aqueous electrolyte salt solution.

Abstract: A composition comprising salts of lignin sulfonate and hydroxy-aluminum and water. The composition stabilizes soil formations from the effects of water and increases the water resistance of paper products.

Abstract: Cold anhydrous ammonia, preferably cold liquid anhydrous ammonia at substantially ambient or atmospheric pressure is applied to feed grains, forages and anaerobically fermentable plant material to supply thereto and provide therein non-protein nitrogen (NPN). The cold anhydrous ammonia is obtained by supplying a stream of ambient temperature, pressurized anhydrous liquid ammonia to an expansion chamber for expansion therein to provide the cold anhydrous ammonia. Cold anhydrous ammonia, preferably substantially only cold liquid anhydrous ammonia, is recovered from the expansion chamber operated under substantially adiabatic conditions, at a temperature in the range -30.degree. F. to about -17.degree. F. and at substantially ambient or atmospheric pressure, such as at a pressure in the range 1 pound per square inch below atmospheric pressure up to about 5 pounds per square inch atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of promoting the transport of water through medium and coarse grained soils comprising the step of applying to the medium or coarse grained soil a soil amendment composition at a level of less than 20 parts per million parts by weight of dry soil, and preferably less than 5 ppm. The composition comprises a substantially linear, substantially water-soluble hydrophilic polymer having a molecular weight greater than 50,000. A preferred polymer is poly (ethylene oxide) having a molecular weight of 300,000 to 7,000,000.

Abstract: A controlled release particulate fertilizer composition prepared by the reaction of urea and formaldehyde comprising polymeric nitrogen in the form of methylene urea polymers of varying chain length. The majority of the polymeric nitrogen consists of short chain polymers selected from the group consisting of methylene diurea, dimethylene triurea and mixtures thereof and the average degree of polymerization of urea and formaldehyde is greater than 1.5. The fertilizer compositions combine safety and high levels of plant nutrient efficiency.

Abstract: A composition comprising an admixture of pulped fibers and a slag characterized by an open pore structure.

Abstract: Microporous, fertilizing materials or compositions, retaining water and accelerating the germination and growth of plants, characterized in that they are composed of a hydrocarbon base containing asphaltenes modified by an oxidation agent producing a liberation of gas, directly, or indirectly, in combination with at least one mineral compound reacting in acid medium, to which materials or compositions it is possible to add, by simple mixing, appropriate common manures, oligo-elements and fertilizers.Method of preparation of fertilizing materials or compositions, characterized in that a non-acid oxidizing agent is mixed with a molten hydrocarbon base in a proportion of 25 to 50% by weight with 5 to 10% of a mineral compound, the mixture is kept for 5 to 7 hours at 180.degree.-250.degree. C., poured into metal trays, cooled, ground and screened into granules of a diameter ranging from 1 to 3 mm.

Abstract: A composite granular mixture of source materials, providing an NPK Fertilizer content of desired value, say 16-8-8, and a plastic binder composed of granular uncured urea-formaldehyde resin are compressed into a briquette of good "green strength" and then resinously bonded into a drivable spike by curing the resin either at room temperature or at a suitably elevated temperature. The resulting plant food spike, when driven into the ground, functions to fertilize the immediately surrounding area at a slow even rate.

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 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: Azulmic acids, stabilized by condensation with carbonyl compounds, containing from 0.5 to 55 percent by weight of ionic groups of the formula ##STR1## in which R represents hydrogen, ammonium, one equivalent of a protonated or quaternized organic nitrogen base or of a sulphonium cation or one equivalent of a metal cation,and containing from 0.5 to 15 percent by weight of groups formed by decarboxylation reaction of the formula ##STR2## and acid addition salts and complex compounds of these stabilized azulmic acids, and also mixed products of these stablized azulmic acids with additives can be used as agrochemicals. The products are particularly useful as fertilizers and as soil improving agents.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method for stimulating growth in a foliage plant. The method comprises potting the plant in a conventional potting medium to which there has been added a humate which was previously associated with a rutile sand deposit. The disclosure is also of improved potting mediums for foliage plants, which include rutile sand deposit derived humate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the environment protection and, more specifically, to microbiological processes for recultivation of industrial refuse heaps.The process of the present invention involves treatment of the heaps with fertilizers resulting from purification of production-communal waste waters, followed by treatment with a humic preparation containing a culture of the mold fungus Aspergillus niger. Then plowing of the ground is effected with a subsequent sowing with seeds of perennial plants. The heap surface sown with said seeds is inoculated with a bacterial preparation containing a culture of ammonifying and nitrifying bacteria.During the period of the plant sprouting and tillering inoculation is effected by means of a bacterial preparation containing a culture of azotobacter and phosphate-dissolving bacteria. All these bacteria are recovered from said refuse heaps, wherefore they are already adapted thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of aluminum tris(-O-ethyl phosphonate) as an ammonium nitrification inhibitor. This compound can be spread upon or mixed with the soil or applied with nitrogen-containing fertilizers to inhibit ammonium nitrification in the soil.

Abstract: Cold anhydrous ammonia, preferably cold liquid anhydrous ammonia at substantially ambient or atmospheric pressure is applied to feed grains, forages and anaerobically fermentable plant material to supply thereto and provide therein non-protein nitrogen (NPN). The cold anhydrous ammonia is obtained by supplying a stream of ambient temperature, pressurized anhydrous liquid ammonia to an expansion chamber for expansion therein to provide the cold anhydrous ammonia. Cold anhydrous ammonia, preferably substantially only cold liquid anhydrous ammonia, is recovered from the expansion chamber operated under substantially adiabatic conditions, at a temperature in the range -30.degree. F. to about -17.degree. F. and at substantially ambient or atmospheric pressure, such as at a pressure in the range 1 pound per square inch below atmospheric pressure up to about 5 pounds per square inch atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A process of stabilizing soil which comprises contacting such soil with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble diacrylate ester of a polyoxyalkylene glycol monomer, which solution also contains a water-soluble polymerization catalyst capable of polymerizing the monomer into a water-insoluble gel.

Abstract: Solid granular fertilizers based on the inclusion of phosphoric acid as an additive to urea and consisting of a homogeneous mixture of two solid crystalline phases, i.e., urea and urea phosphate, and ranging in its overall N:P.sub.2 O.sub.5 weight ratio from about 2:1 to about 5:1, preferably from about 2:1 to 3:1. These fertilizers are suitable for surface application, especially where immediate incorporation into the soil is not practicable, such as on pastures, or undesirable such as in conjunction with reduced tillage practices, and generally wherever it is necessary or desirable to apply nitrogen on the surface of soil, ensuring substantially reduced losses of urea nitrogen by volatilization, and causing a delay of 4 to 7 days in the commencement of such losses.