A substrate and a slurry for erosion control and/or hydroseeding are disclosed. The substrate includes mulch and a cover composition including bentonite clay and cellulosic water dispersible polymer or starch. Other desired optional ingredients may also be included. Methods of controlling or reducing erosion control are also disclosed.

Syrup produced in a lignocellulosic biomass fermentation process is used as a binder for soil conditioning materials to make an agricultural composition that is easily handled and applied. The syrup binds powdery soil conditioning materials such as lime and gypsum to form pellets or granules.

A facility secondary NO.sub.3.sup. salinized soil modifier and a modification method are disclosed. The present invention involves the preparation processes of two biological soil modifiers A and B and application methods thereof, which are specifically described as follows: (1) soil modifier A: solid, obtained by microbial fermentation with straw powder and rice bran and the like as raw materials, C/N between 30-50, applied by uniformly mixing at 1-1.4 by mass with facility ploughing soil, co-culturing at 35-50 C. for 5-7 days, and then returning to fields; and (2) soil modifier B: liquid, subjected to salt tolerance acclimation to have effective microbial populations, and used in the crop growth period. Based on the microbial techniques, the present invention can improve soil structureness, enhance microbial activity and promote biological immobilization on inorganic nitrogen in soils, significantly increasing the facility cultivation crop yield, and improving the product quality.

A material for optimizing and maintaining at least one of water, nutrients, biocides, and other protectant or growth supporting chemicals in natural soils by decreasing leaching, evaporation, and volatility through application of agglomerated granules (prills) formed of engineered hydrating particles, a binder, nutrients, and protectants to the soil. Typical application is by applying prills simultaneously with seeds when drilled, broadcast, or otherwise distributed.

Disclosed is a process of stabilizing spent filter material that comprises mixing the filter media with a dry media to produce a composition having a moisture content that is sufficiently low to retard microbial growth. The composition comprises spent filter media and a dry material, and preferably comprises diatomaceous earth. Soil is treated by adding the composition as a top dressing, soil amendment, or the like.

A method for creating treated biochar is provided that includes infusing a liquid additive into the pores of biochar, such as a fertilizer solution or other additive beneficial to plant growth. The method further includes the removal of materials and/or other additives from the pores of biochar. The present invention further provides biochar having pores filled with a liquid solution containing an additive, where the additive may include, but not be limited to, an additive beneficial to plant growth.

Biochars and methods for producing biochar aggregate particles where the method for producing the aggregate particles comprise the steps of (i) producing or collecting biochar fines; (ii) adding a binding agent to the biochar fines; and (iii) forming the biochar fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles.

Biochars and methods for treating biochars are provided that are useful in various applications, including, but not limited to, applications related to the raising, care, maintenance, disease prevention, disease treatment and odor control of animals.

A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth is described, comprising: grinding a biomass feedstock to produce ground biomass particles; subjecting the ground biomass particles to a biofractioning process including an auger reactor; selectively collecting at least one volatile component as it is released from the ground biomass particles; collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char; rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic; exposing the BMF char to microorganisms; and adding the BMF char to soil.

Field harvested culture mix is used to inoculate organic waste and produce an inoculated waste material, where the field harvested culture mix includes soil derived microbes. The inoculated waste material is shredded to produce shredded inoculated waste material which is fermented the shredded inoculated waste material for at least 7 days. Contents from the fermenter are then transferred into a dewatering device to produce dewatered contents which are then separated into soluble and suspended products.