Water soluble polymeric compositions are provided including at least one polyanionic polymer component (e.g., a copolymer containing maleic and itaconic repeat units), and at least one high molecular weight component selected from copolymers different than the polyanionic polymer and preferably having dicarboxylic repeat units, and a cellulose or cellulose derivative. The compositions are preferably substantially free of hydrocarbons and can be used to coat solid fertilizers in order to reduce fines.

Improved, low-cost agricultural products are provided comprising respective amounts of humic acid and a polyanionic polymer. The products may be mixed with or applied to fertilizers to enhance plant uptake of nutrients. The polyanionic polymer preferably includes maleic and itaconic repeat units, and optionally sulfonate repeat units.

The present invention includes a material and method of installing a construction material for dry or arid climates, comprising: a growth media comprising an abiotic porous material and activated charcoal such as biochar; and at least one of a compost, grain hulls and nut shells, wherein plants in the material are able to survive without exogenous water for use in areas comprising at least one of Aw, BS, BW, Csa, Csb, Ds or Dw climates according to the Koppen-Geiger climate classification.

A hydroseeding substrate and a hydroseeding slurry for seeding of grass and other vegetation are disclosed. The hydroseeding substrate includes mulch, a cover composition including bentonite clay and cellulosic water dispersible polymer and/or starch, and optionally surface-treated HPMC. Other desired optional ingredients may also be included. Methods of forming a hydroseeding slurry and methods of using the slurry for seeding are also disclosed.

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 making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149 C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

A coal refuse remediation process is described. The process includes providing coal refuse and blending a slag with at least a portion of the coal refuse to form a medium. The coal refuse has a particle size. The medium has a pH within a range of about 3.5 and about 10 and the medium facilitates growth of vegetation when applied to a coal refuse pile at a thickness of less than about 24 inches.

Wheat bran culture mix is used to inoculate organic waste and produce an inoculated waste material, where the wheat bran 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.

A growing medium comprising fibrous tree bark and fibrous wood components, wherein the fibers of the growing medium have an average length to width ratio, such that the growing medium has a dry bulk density of about 60 kg/m.sup.3 or lower and wet bulk density of about 120 kg/m.sup.3 or lower.

A fertilizer granule having a coating on at least of portion of a surface of the granule. The coating is made of one or more complexing agents and a coating agent of one or more of a fatty acid, fatty acid ester, organic oil mineral oil or combinations thereof. The coating may optionally include a surfactant and micronutrients. The coated fertilizer granules demonstrates a noted improvement in the utilization of the nutrients of plants and crops.