The present invention relates to a fertiliser and/or soil improver, for use in enhancing the growth of plants, comprising keratin, preferably obtained from wool. Also described is a method of enhancing the growth of plants using a fertiliser and/or soil improver comprising keratin.

A system for recovering fat, oil and grease (FOG) from wastewater has multiple annular flotation zones in a concentric configuration surrounding a central column to create progressively increasing surface areas for FOG and solid particles flotation. Each flotation zone may be equipped with an independent pressurized micro air and/or ozone bubbles distribution system. The FOG is recovered in the first flotation zone without chemical additions. Coagulant and flocculant may be added in the second flotation zone to maximize removals of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and colloidal particulates and produce clear effluent. Magnesium chloride is added in the third flotation zone to remove phosphorus and to form struvite particulates that can be used as fertilizer. Since both organic loading and solid loading in the treated effluent are significantly reduced, poultry processing plants can more easily meet wastewater treatment plant discharge limits and avoid surcharges.

A method of producing an agricultural product for improving immunity, the agriculture product being rice, includes: (1) soaking seeds of the agricultural product in a solution containing a magnetic material and a -glucan; (2) before planting the seeds, applying a bottom fertilizer to a paddy field for the agricultural product, the bottom fertilizer including an organic fertilizer, the magnetic material, an oyster shell powder, the (3-glucan and an organic zinc; and (3) at tillering stage, applying a topdressing to the paddy filed, the topdressing including the -glucan and the organic zinc.

A method of producing an agricultural product for improving immunity, the agriculture product being rice, includes: (1) soaking seeds of the agricultural product in a solution containing a magnetic material and a -glucan; (2) before planting the seeds, applying a bottom fertilizer to a paddy field for the agricultural product, the bottom fertilizer including an organic fertilizer, the magnetic material, an oyster shell powder, the (3-glucan and an organic zinc; and (3) at tillering stage, applying a topdressing to the paddy filed, the topdressing including the -glucan and the organic zinc.

The invention discloses a synergist for improving crop resistance and fertilizer absorption capacity. The synergist includes the following components by weight: 20-30 parts of an oyster shell powder, 20-30 parts of a water chestnut skin powder, 10-20 parts of a chinaberry bark powder, 10-20 parts of a magnetic material, 10-20 parts of an illite powder, 5-10 parts of a shiitake mushroom polysaccharide extract. The synergist can, on one hand, improve the resistance of crops, especially reducing the pests and diseases significantly, improving waterlogging and drought resistance; and, on the other hand, greatly reduce the use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers, preventing soil compaction. It can also significantly increase the content of active polysaccharides, especially -glucan in crops. In addition, the raw materials are readily available, the cost is low, and there are significant economic benefits.

The invention discloses a synergist for improving crop resistance and fertilizer absorption capacity. The synergist includes the following components by weight: 20-30 parts of an oyster shell powder, 20-30 parts of a water chestnut skin powder, 10-20 parts of a chinaberry bark powder, 10-20 parts of a magnetic material, 10-20 parts of an illite powder, 5-10 parts of a shiitake mushroom polysaccharide extract. The synergist can, on one hand, improve the resistance of crops, especially reducing the pests and diseases significantly, improving waterlogging and drought resistance; and, on the other hand, greatly reduce the use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers, preventing soil compaction. It can also significantly increase the content of active polysaccharides, especially -glucan in crops. In addition, the raw materials are readily available, the cost is low, and there are significant economic benefits.

An organic fertilizer with one or more natural ingredients is provided. The organic fertilizer includes molasses to provide additional nutrients to the soil that are readily available for plant intake such as providing sugars to increase microorganism activity. An aromatic ingredient is provided to mask the unwanted odors of other fertilizer components.

A novel method of reducing the melting point of a peptide-based biopolymer using a nitrogen-containing compound as a plasticizer is provided. The peptide-based biopolymer can be keratin or silk. The nitrogen-containing compound can be one or more amino acids or other nitrogen-containing compounds (except urea), all of which have a melting temperature above approximately 133 C., the decomposition temperature of urea. Pellets made using this novel process can be used as animal feed and soil amendments (fertilizer) to increase the adsorption of amino acids in the animal or in the soil, respectively.

Systems and methods are disclosed to provide plant nutrient by selecting a series of microbes optimal for plant growing; mixing the microbes, urea and humic acid in a mixture; and combining the mixture with a fertilizer.

Nutrient sources for a plant growth medium are disclosed. The nutrient sources include feather meal, soy meal, and optionally compost. Plant growth mediums including such nutrient sources exhibit desirable nutrient release profiles and advantageous plant growth. Methods of making and using the nutrient sources and plant growing mediums containing such nutrient sources are further disclosed.