A use of 1,9-decanediol in retarding urea hydrolysis in soil is provided. It is found that 1,9-decanediol has a dual regulatory effect, which can not only inhibit the nitrification process, but also retard urea hydrolysis and reduce the transformation of urea to other nitrogen forms. As a fat-soluble root exudate, 1,9-decanediol has high stability in soil, is not easy to be leached away, and causes less environmental pollution. It further broadens an application field of 1,9-decanediol and improves an industrial value of 1,9-decanediol.

The invention relates to a microbial delivery system where biochar acts as a carrier for microbes.

The present invention relates to fertilizer particles encapsulated in modified chitosan and a method of obtaining them. The particles described in this invention allow a controlled, moderate, or gradual release of an active material from a reserve substrate to another medium, in order to increase the effectiveness of the active material by prolonging its action over time. This invention is characterized in that the active components of said formulations are capable of causing a synergistic effect, considerably increasing the growth and development of plants.

The present invention relates to fertilizer particles encapsulated in modified chitosan and a method of obtaining them. The particles described in this invention allow a controlled, moderate, or gradual release of an active material from a reserve substrate to another medium, in order to increase the effectiveness of the active material by prolonging its action over time. This invention is characterized in that the active components of said formulations are capable of causing a synergistic effect, considerably increasing the growth and development of plants.

Disclosed herein are fertilizer compositions with enhanced sulphate release, methods of making the fertilizer compositions and methods of using the fertilizer compositions. The disclosed fertilizer compositions combine elemental sulphur with small amounts (relative to the sulphur) of humic acid to enhance delivery of sulphates to soil. The humic acid is added as a humic additive, which may comprise 40% or more humic acid. In many embodiments, the presence of small amounts of humic additive enhances the release of sulphate from soil containing the fertilizer composition from about 1.5- to 4-fold over fertilizer compositions lacking the humic additive.

Aspects of the present invention include an apparatus for delivering substances to plants, comprising a grow pod, having at least one chamber for receiving at least one substance, whereby the grow pod is dissolved in a solute to form a solution, whereby the solution is delivered to at least one plant. Aspects of the present invention include a method of delivering substances to plants, comprising the steps of using a grow pod, having at least one chamber for receiving at least one substance; dissolving the grow pod in a solute to form a solution; and delivering the solution to at least one plant. Aspects of the present invention include an apparatus for delivering substances to plants, comprising at least one substance beneficial for plant growth bound and dissolved in a solute to form a solution, whereby the solution is delivered to at least one plant.

The present invention relates to bioavailable (which may also be referred to as plant available) silicon, such as in the form of a concentrate or solid, and processes for producing and using bioavailable silicon.

A method of hydroponic growing of plants comprising hydroponically growing the plants in the presence of a controlled release hydroponic fertilizer composition. The hydroponic fertilizer composition comprises a polymerically coated controlled release fertilization nutrient formulation which further comprises micronutrients and optionally chelated iron.

The present invention relates to a controlled-release fertilizer, including: a photodegradable capsule including a binder resin containing a polyolefin and an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and a photocatalytic composite in which a (co)polymer including at least one repeating unit selected from the group consisting of an ethylene repeating unit and a vinyl acetate repeating unit is bonded to the surface or inside of agglomerates of inorganic fine particles; and a fertilizer contained in a space surrounded by the photodegradable capsule.

The present invention relates to a controlled-release fertilizer, including: a photodegradable capsule including a binder resin containing a polyolefin and an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and a photocatalytic composite in which a (co)polymer including at least one repeating unit selected from the group consisting of an ethylene repeating unit and a vinyl acetate repeating unit is bonded to the surface or inside of agglomerates of inorganic fine particles; and a fertilizer contained in a space surrounded by the photodegradable capsule.