Seaweed and/or seaweed extract coated fertilizer core, methods for their use, and production thereof, are disclosed. The fertilizer core, coated by the seaweed and/or seaweed coating, can contain 50 wt. % or more, based on the total weight of the core, of a urea-based fertilizer, or an inorganic fertilizer containing one or more of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium, or a combination thereof. The coating can include a seaweed and/or seaweed extract, and optionally contain or exclude gypsum, water insoluble polymer(s) other than native water insoluble polymers present in the seaweed or extract thereof, water, solubilizing agent(s), anticaking agent(s), and/or binding agent(s).

The present disclosure concerns a method for producing fertilizer particles comprising an alternative source of boron. It is found that certain colemanite and ulexite powders can be supplied to a fertilizer melt shortly before granulation essentially without dissolving into the melt. Accordingly, the fertilizer particles produced from the melt may contain negligible amounts or non-detectable levels of sodium borates or boric acid. Furthermore, the fertilizer particles can be homogeneous which is desirable for boron supplying fertilizers. It is also found that the fertilizer particles can supply boron to plants at a rate comparable to borax pentahydrate.

Fertilizer granules containing elemental sulfur and a hydrogel which expands or swells in the soil to more readily disperse the elemental sulfur surface throughout the soil, which increases the elemental sulfur surface area available for oxidation, and ultimately uptake of sulfur by the plant. The elemental sulfur and hydrogel can be added to a fertilizer composition as either an exterior coating or co-granulated with the base fertilizer composition.

Fertilizer granules containing elemental sulfur and a hydrogel which expands or swells in the soil to more readily disperse the elemental sulfur surface throughout the soil, which increases the elemental sulfur surface area available for oxidation, and ultimately uptake of sulfur by the plant. The elemental sulfur and hydrogel can be added to a fertilizer composition as either an exterior coating or co-granulated with the base fertilizer composition.

Fertilizer granules containing elemental sulfur and a hydrogel which expands or swells in the soil to more readily disperse the elemental sulfur surface throughout the soil, which increases the elemental sulfur surface area available for oxidation, and ultimately uptake of sulfur by the plant. The elemental sulfur and hydrogel can be added to a fertilizer composition as either an exterior coating or co-granulated with the base fertilizer composition.

Fertilizer granules containing elemental sulfur and a hydrogel which expands or swells in the soil to more readily disperse the elemental sulfur surface throughout the soil, which increases the elemental sulfur surface area available for oxidation, and ultimately uptake of sulfur by the plant. The elemental sulfur and hydrogel can be added to a fertilizer composition as either an exterior coating or co-granulated with the base fertilizer composition.

Fertilizer granules containing elemental sulfur and a hydrogel which expands or swells in the soil to more readily disperse the elemental sulfur surface throughout the soil, which increases the elemental sulfur surface area available for oxidation, and ultimately uptake of sulfur by the plant. The elemental sulfur and hydrogel can be added to a fertilizer composition as either an exterior coating or co-granulated with the base fertilizer composition.

Fertilizer granules containing elemental sulfur and a hydrogel which expands or swells in the soil to more readily disperse the elemental sulfur surface throughout the soil, which increases the elemental sulfur surface area available for oxidation, and ultimately uptake of sulfur by the plant. The elemental sulfur and hydrogel can be added to a fertilizer composition as either an exterior coating or co-granulated with the base fertilizer composition.

The present invention concerns the use of an inoculum of at least one strain of Penicillium brasilianum for improving plant growth conditions. It also concerns a method of increasing the availability of phosphorus and/or micronutrients for plant uptake from a plant growth substrate, said method comprising applying to the plant growth substrate an effective amount of an inoculum of Penicillium brasilianum.

The present invention concerns the use of an inoculum of at least one strain of Penicillium brasilianum for improving plant growth conditions. It also concerns a method of increasing the availability of phosphorus and/or micronutrients for plant uptake from a plant growth substrate, said method comprising applying to the plant growth substrate an effective amount of an inoculum of Penicillium brasilianum.