Apparatus and methods for desulfurization and decarbonization of a process gas containing sulfur oxides and CO.sub.2. Ammonia may be used as a desulfurizing and decarbonizing agent. The gas may enter a desulfurization apparatus for desulfurization, and to produce an ammonium sulfate fertilizer. The desulfurized gas may enter a decarbonization apparatus to remove carbon dioxide in the gas, and to produce an ammonium bicarbonate fertilizer. The decarbonized gas may contain free ammonia. The decarbonized gas may be washed with a desulfurization circulating fluid and then with water. The washing fluid may be returned to the desulfurization apparatus for use as an absorbing agent for desulfurization. Acidic desulfurization circulating fluid may be used to wash ammonia, thereby achieving a high ammonia washing efficiency, and a low ammonia slip during the decarbonization process.

A biostimulant concentrate includes purified water and a solubilizer, triacontanol, and an array of brassinosteroids selected from the group consisting of brassinolide, brassinone, dolicholide, homobrassinolide, and combinations thereof. The triacontanol is concentrated as a 95% concentrate that is included in an amount of 2-15 grains per liter of biostimulant concentrate. In one embodiment, 3 grams of triacontanol 95% is used per liter of biostimulant concentrate. The biostimulant is formulated into a foliar spray in one embodiment of the invention. The present inventive formulation is used as an in-furrow application, which is mixed with fertilizer in one aspect of the invention. The present invention is mixed with herbicide and broadcast sprayed in another embodiment of the invention. This broadcast spray can be performed either pre-emergence, or post emergence, or both.

A biostimulant concentrate includes purified water and a solubilizer, triacontanol, and an array of brassinosteroids selected from the group consisting of brassinolide, brassinone, dolicholide, homobrassinolide, and combinations thereof. The triacontanol is concentrated as a 95% concentrate that is included in an amount of 2-15 grains per liter of biostimulant concentrate. In one embodiment, 3 grams of triacontanol 95% is used per liter of biostimulant concentrate. The biostimulant is formulated into a foliar spray in one embodiment of the invention. The present inventive formulation is used as an in-furrow application, which is mixed with fertilizer in one aspect of the invention. The present invention is mixed with herbicide and broadcast sprayed in another embodiment of the invention. This broadcast spray can be performed either pre-emergence, or post emergence, or both.

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 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.

This invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a homogeneous, solid, particulate, urea-based material comprising elemental sulphur. The invention further relates to a homogeneous, solid, particulate urea-based material comprising small elemental sulphur phases in a urea-based base material and formed by an accretion process. The product is in particular suitable as a fertilizer.

This invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a homogeneous, solid, particulate, urea-based material comprising elemental sulphur. The invention further relates to a homogeneous, solid, particulate urea-based material comprising small elemental sulphur phases in a urea-based base material and formed by an accretion process. The product is in particular suitable as a fertilizer.

A concentrated aqueous composition of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) comprising salts for plant nutrition. The concentrated aqueous composition comprises microfibrillated linear polymers of D-glucose molecules (cellulose microfibers), calcium ions, sulfate ions and other elements for plant nutrition. The concentration of calcium ions and sulfate ions exceeds the concentration corresponding to the solubility of calcium sulfate in water. The proportion of MFC is within a range of 1% and 99% w/w of the composition, and the precipitation of salts is prevented in a pH range from 1 to 13.

A concentrated aqueous composition of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) comprising salts for plant nutrition. The concentrated aqueous composition comprises microfibrillated linear polymers of D-glucose molecules (cellulose microfibers), calcium ions, sulfate ions and other elements for plant nutrition. The concentration of calcium ions and sulfate ions exceeds the concentration corresponding to the solubility of calcium sulfate in water. The proportion of MFC is within a range of 1% and 99% w/w of the composition, and the precipitation of salts is prevented in a pH range from 1 to 13.

A concentrated aqueous composition of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) comprising salts for plant nutrition. The concentrated aqueous composition comprises microfibrillated linear polymers of D-glucose molecules (cellulose microfibers), calcium ions, sulfate ions and other elements for plant nutrition. The concentration of calcium ions and sulfate ions exceeds the concentration corresponding to the solubility of calcium sulfate in water. The proportion of MFC is within a range of 1% and 99% w/w of the composition, and the precipitation of salts is prevented in a pH range from 1 to 13.