A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth.

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.

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.

A method for fabricating a dry composition is disclosed including combining a solid carbonate or a solid bicarbonate compound, a solid acid yielding compound, a biostimulant, and a plant nutrient. The dry composition may be processed into a tablet, dry powder, meal, or pellets and produce effervescence when a liquid, such as water or a water-based liquid is mixed with the dry composition.

A method for fabricating a dry composition is disclosed including combining a solid carbonate or a solid bicarbonate compound, a solid acid yielding compound, a biostimulant, and a plant nutrient. The dry composition may be processed into a tablet, dry powder, meal, or pellets and produce effervescence when a liquid, such as water or a water-based liquid is mixed with the dry composition.

A process for the production of elemental sulphur-urea fertilizer products is described, comprising the preparation of molten urea; preparing a suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water; mixing the molten urea with suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water wherein the micronized sulphur particles substantially remain in micronized solid state; and spraying the mixture of molten urea and suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water into a granulator, wherein the water in the mixture is flashed off, resulting in the formation of sulphur-urea granules with an even distribution of urea and micronized sulphur particles. An elemental sulphur-urea fertilizer composition obtained by the process is also described.

A process for the production of elemental sulphur-urea fertilizer products is described, comprising the preparation of molten urea; preparing a suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water; mixing the molten urea with suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water wherein the micronized sulphur particles substantially remain in micronized solid state; and spraying the mixture of molten urea and suspension of micronized sulphur particles with water into a granulator, wherein the water in the mixture is flashed off, resulting in the formation of sulphur-urea granules with an even distribution of urea and micronized sulphur particles. An elemental sulphur-urea fertilizer composition obtained by the process is also described.

A low energy production method for producing pure and highly concentrated carbon dioxide from a renewable lignocellulosic biomass feedstock comprising the steps of i) extracting lignins and hemicelluloses by putting a solid lignocellulosic raw material in the presence of a mixture of at least water and formic acid, at atmospheric pressure under conditions of temperature between 80? C. and 110? C., ii) fractionating, the primary solid fraction and the primary liquid fraction obtained at the end of the extraction step i), iii) separating the lignins from the intermediate liquid fraction, iv) producing a synthetic gas by feeding a gasification equipment with at least part of said primary solid fraction and/or at least part of said residual liquid fraction, and v) producing carbon dioxide and water by introducing dioxygen, or dioxygen enriched air, or air in said gasification equipment.

A low energy production method for producing pure and highly concentrated carbon dioxide from a renewable lignocellulosic biomass feedstock comprising the steps of i) extracting lignins and hemicelluloses by putting a solid lignocellulosic raw material in the presence of a mixture of at least water and formic acid, at atmospheric pressure under conditions of temperature between 80? C. and 110? C., ii) fractionating, the primary solid fraction and the primary liquid fraction obtained at the end of the extraction step i), iii) separating the lignins from the intermediate liquid fraction, iv) producing a synthetic gas by feeding a gasification equipment with at least part of said primary solid fraction and/or at least part of said residual liquid fraction, and v) producing carbon dioxide and water by introducing dioxygen, or dioxygen enriched air, or air in said gasification equipment.

A plant growth enhancer including a source of carbon dioxide, a source of carbohydrate, and source of acid in an amount to provide increased retention of carbon dioxide in the soil.