This disclosure relates to water-absorbing and slow/controlled release fertilizer, in particular to a water-absorbing and water-retaining multi-nutrient biodegradable polymeric slow/controlled release fertilizer having a semi-interpenetrating network structure, and preparation methods thereof. The method can comprises the steps of: reacting formaldehyde with urea to obtain a hydroxymethyl urea solution; adding acrylic acid and acrylamide monomers into another reactor, and adding a KOH solution to adjust the neutralization degree of acrylic acid, then adding one of inorganic clay, pretreated crop straw or cellulose, then adding initiator, monopotassium phosphate and the prepared hydroxymethyl urea solution sequentially; allowing to react at temperature after being mixed uniformly to obtain a viscous product; and granulating the viscous product and oven drying the same to obtain the fertilizer. The fertilizer prepared according to the present invention has strong water-absorbing and water-retaining capacity, and an excellent slow release performance for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contained as nutrients.

The invention herein provides a composite material suitable for the absorption of moisture in natural outside areas. More particularly, the composite material can be applied to both grassy and non-grassy natural areas to both absorb any excessive, apparent moisture therein and to also enrich the underlying earth of both grassy and non-grassy natural areas.

An IBTL system having a low GHG footprint for converting biomass to liquid fuels in which a biomass feed is converted to liquids by direct liquefaction and the liquids are upgraded to produce premium fuels. Biomass residues from the direct liquefaction, and optionally additional biomass is pyrolyzed using microwave pyrolysis to produce structured biochar, hydrogen for the liquefaction and upgrading, and CO.sub.2 for conversion to algae, including blue green algae (cyanobacteria) in a photobioreactor (PBR). Produced algae and diazotrophic microorganisms are used to produce a biofertilizer that also contains structured biochar. The structured biochar acts as a nucleation agent for the algae in the PBR, as a absorption agent to absorb inorganics from the biomass feed to direct liquefaction or from the liquids produced thereby, and as a water retention agent in the biofertilizer. The ratio of cyanobacteria to diazotrophic microorganisms in the biofertilizer can be selected so as to achieve desired total chemically active carbon and nitrogen contents in the soil for a given crop.

Disclosed herein is a soil remediation and soil pore stabilising composition comprising at least one electrolyte and at least one cofactor.

Disclosed herein is a soil remediation and soil pore stabilising composition comprising at least one electrolyte and at least one cofactor.

The present invention relates to a ground cover in the form of a mulch, comprising a microfibrillated polysaccharide. Also methods for its manufacture and use thereof are disclosed.

Treated biochar and methods for treating biochar are provided. The method for treating the biochar includes forcing, assisting or accelerating the movement of an infiltrant into the pores of the biochar, whereby the treatment affects properties of the biochar that provide for a more reliable and predictable biochar for use in various applications, including, but not limited to, agricultural applications.

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 micro-carbon bio-fertilizer for rapidly increasing a soil granular structure and a preparation method thereof are provided. The formula composition of the micro-carbon bio-fertilizer by mass percentage is: 30-60% of micro carbons, and 40-70% of plant fibers. The preparation process includes is that: preparation of raw materials; filtration and purification of the raw materials; biodegradation; canning of semi-finished product; dispensing and mixing; sedimentation and achievement of finished product. The macromolecular carbohydrates contained in the industrial wastewater rich in organic matters are activated into micro carbons of 100 m in average through biotechnologies. The micro carbons have natural affinity with soil and split the soil into small particles which are gathered to form a granular structure. Such a granular structure mitigates the degree of soil hardening and acidification, while quickly increasing soil fertility and improving crop quality and yield.

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.