The present disclosure refers to a keratin-based substrate, comprising a keratin derivative and natural biopolymer, where the keratin derivative and natural biopolymer are crosslinked. The present disclosure also refers to a method of forming a keratin-based substrate, comprising (i) mixing a solution of keratin derivative with a solution of natural biopolymer; and (ii) drying the resulting solution of step (i) to obtain the keratin-based substrate. The present disclosure further relates to the use of the substrate as a plant growth medium or hydroponic support medium. In a preferred embodiment, a substrate comprising keratin intermediate filament protein and cellulose nanofibers is provided.

The present disclosure refers to a keratin-based substrate, comprising a keratin derivative and natural biopolymer, where the keratin derivative and natural biopolymer are crosslinked. The present disclosure also refers to a method of forming a keratin-based substrate, comprising (i) mixing a solution of keratin derivative with a solution of natural biopolymer; and (ii) drying the resulting solution of step (i) to obtain the keratin-based substrate. The present disclosure further relates to the use of the substrate as a plant growth medium or hydroponic support medium. In a preferred embodiment, a substrate comprising keratin intermediate filament protein and cellulose nanofibers is provided.

The present invention relates to a method for encapsulating a compound selected from the group consisting of at least one active substance, at least one microorganism and mixtures thereof in an organic-inorganic hybrid material of 2:1 lamellar structure, said material having the following general formula I:
Na.sub.x[(Mg.sub.3)(Al.sub.x(RSi).sub.4−x)O.sub.8+x(OH).sub.2]  (I)
the method comprising:
a) sol-gel synthesis of the organic-inorganic hybrid material of 2:1 lamellar structure in the presence of the compound;
b) recovery of the compound encapsulated in the material of general formula I. It further relates to the compound encapsulated in an organic-inorganic hybrid material of 2:1 lamellar structure of general formula I, a composition comprising same and its use for fertilizing, feeding, stimulating growth and/or prophylaxis of plants and/or improvement of the physical, chemical and/or biological properties of the soil or of the culture substrate of plants.

The present invention relates to a method for encapsulating a compound selected from the group consisting of at least one active substance, at least one microorganism and mixtures thereof in an organic-inorganic hybrid material of 2:1 lamellar structure, said material having the following general formula I:
Na.sub.x[(Mg.sub.3)(Al.sub.x(RSi).sub.4−x)O.sub.8+x(OH).sub.2]  (I)
the method comprising:
a) sol-gel synthesis of the organic-inorganic hybrid material of 2:1 lamellar structure in the presence of the compound;
b) recovery of the compound encapsulated in the material of general formula I. It further relates to the compound encapsulated in an organic-inorganic hybrid material of 2:1 lamellar structure of general formula I, a composition comprising same and its use for fertilizing, feeding, stimulating growth and/or prophylaxis of plants and/or improvement of the physical, chemical and/or biological properties of the soil or of the culture substrate of plants.

Methods for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health using free enzymes or recombinant microorganisms that overexpress enzymes are provided. Plant seeds coated with free enzymes or recombinant microorganisms that overexpress enzymes are also provided. Compositions comprising a fertilizer and an enzyme or a recombinant microorganism that overexpresses an enzyme are provided. Modified enzymes having ACC deaminase activity, recombinant microorganisms expressing the modified enzymes, plant seeds treated with the modified enzymes or recombinant microorganisms, and methods for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health using the modified enzymes or recombinant microorganisms are also provided.

Methods for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health using free enzymes or recombinant microorganisms that overexpress enzymes are provided. Plant seeds coated with free enzymes or recombinant microorganisms that overexpress enzymes are also provided. Compositions comprising a fertilizer and an enzyme or a recombinant microorganism that overexpresses an enzyme are provided. Modified enzymes having ACC deaminase activity, recombinant microorganisms expressing the modified enzymes, plant seeds treated with the modified enzymes or recombinant microorganisms, and methods for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health using the modified enzymes or recombinant microorganisms are also provided.

The disclosure provides a method of treating, preventing, and/or controlling plant diseases by applying the agricultural composition comprising a bacterial isolate belonging to Paenibacillus or Bacillus. Also, the disclosure provides a method of enhancing disease resistance of a plant seed by applying the agricultural composition to the plant seed, and an agricultural composition comprising the bacterial isolate.

The disclosure provides a method of treating, preventing, and/or controlling plant diseases by applying the agricultural composition comprising a bacterial isolate belonging to Paenibacillus or Bacillus. Also, the disclosure provides a method of enhancing disease resistance of a plant seed by applying the agricultural composition to the plant seed, and an agricultural composition comprising the bacterial isolate.

The present disclosure relates to an improved nitrification inhibitor composition and its use in agricultural applications.

A method for preparing agricultural products from a biological sludge containing microbial cells includes the steps of: subjecting the biological sludge to a pretreatment process which includes introducing ozone and supplying a hydraulic pressure to generate cavitation to destroy cell wall of the microbial cells; and subjecting the pretreated biological sludge to a solid-liquid separation treatment to obtain a solid fraction including cell debris and a liquid fraction including a cell lysate solution.