An alternative salt nutrient mixture for plant growth, wherein one or more of the following nutrients is present as a carbonate: nitrogen (eg ammonium), potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, zinc or copper and/or one or more of the following nutrients is present as a nitrate: nitrogen (eg ammonium), potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, zinc or copper.

Processes for production of a plant growth substrate or a casing soil from sugar cane bagasse, and plant growth substrates produced from these processes are disclosed. The processes generally include biological removal of residual sugars, suppression of the development of cellulose degrading microorganisms so that the resulting mass loss is less than 10% of the original material dry weight, mechanical disintegration to form a disintegrated material with a defined density and porosity, reduction of pH and extraction of potassium to provide a defined electrical conductivity, and blending of the disintegrated material with one or more mineral components and plant nutrients. Additional steps in the process may include fermentation after the mechanical disintegration, and optionally addition of live organisms to add beneficial functions to the substrates. The substrate may find use as potting soil or blending components for soil mixes, or as casing soil for the production of mushroom.

Processes for production of a plant growth substrate or a casing soil from sugar cane bagasse, and plant growth substrates produced from these processes are disclosed. The processes generally include biological removal of residual sugars, suppression of the development of cellulose degrading microorganisms so that the resulting mass loss is less than 10% of the original material dry weight, mechanical disintegration to form a disintegrated material with a defined density and porosity, reduction of pH and extraction of potassium to provide a defined electrical conductivity, and blending of the disintegrated material with one or more mineral components and plant nutrients. Additional steps in the process may include fermentation after the mechanical disintegration, and optionally addition of live organisms to add beneficial functions to the substrates. The substrate may find use as potting soil or blending components for soil mixes, or as casing soil for the production of mushroom.

Disclosed herein are methods of increasing nitrogen fixation in a non-leguminous plant. The methods can comprise exposing the plant to a plurality of bacteria. Each member of the plurality comprises one or more genetic variations introduced into one or more genes or non-coding polynucleotides of the bacteria's nitrogen fixation or assimilation genetic regulatory network, such that the bacteria are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the presence of exogenous nitrogen. The bacteria are not intergeneric microorganisms. Additionally, the bacteria, in planta, produce 1% or more of the fixed nitrogen in the plant.

Geo-biological processes are designed to treat wastewater generated in animal feed lots when washing away feces, urine and other materials or in municipal wastewater systems. The present processes are focused on recovering a nutrient load in the wastewater for use as fertilizer and corresponding to separate mostly purified water for reuse. Alternate embodiments are algae and microbe based processes. The processes can be used individually or in various permutations.

Geo-biological processes are designed to treat wastewater generated in animal feed lots when washing away feces, urine and other materials or in municipal wastewater systems. The present processes are focused on recovering a nutrient load in the wastewater for use as fertilizer and corresponding to separate mostly purified water for reuse. Alternate embodiments are algae and microbe based processes. The processes can be used individually or in various permutations.

Disclosed herein are fluid ionized compositions, such as fluid calcium cyanamide fertilizer compositions, methods of preparation and uses thereof. In some examples, a fluid composition includes a mixture of about 40 to 20 parts of dissolved acid or acid-formed approximately neutral pH nitrogen plant nutrient compounds (such as urea ammonium nitrate and H.sub.2O) and about 1 to about 5 parts of a mixture of insoluble or weakly soluble high pH calcium-formed plant nutrient compounds (such as calcium cyanamide and H.sub.2O). The disclosed compositions and methods stabilize the compositions' contained active nutrient ions and digested carbon. The disclosed compositions and methods facilitate controllable site-directed delivery of the contents of the compositions. The compositions and methods are effective for microbes nourishment plant fertilizing, soil amending, heavy metals leaching inhibition, and digesting organic proteinaceous excreta. The compositions are stable, easily calibrated, and non-clogging for soil injection, spray and irrigation water delivery to target sites.

A fertilizer composition including a base fertilizer granule with a hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic coating that reduces fertilizer caking and dust formation. The coating can include a roughening component, which creates micron-scale surface roughness, and a hydrophobic coating. Together, the components of the coating act to physically protect water soluble fertilizers granules from the ingress of moisture and from caking, and increase the resistance of the granules to abrasion.

A treated biochar comprising a porous carbonaceous particle that has been treated and mixed with a media containing a mineral solubilizing microorganism, whereby the porous carbonaceous particle after mixing has retained the mineral solubilizing microorganism.

A treated biochar comprising a porous carbonaceous particle that has been treated and mixed with a media containing a mineral solubilizing microorganism, whereby the porous carbonaceous particle after mixing has retained the mineral solubilizing microorganism.