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.

The instant invention relates to methods for increasing or promoting microbial activity in soil selected for treatment.

The invention relates to a composition formulated to produce improved budbreak, flowering and disease resistance in perennial fruit crops and/or ornamental trees, comprising: (a) one or more compounds represented by the structure: in which R′ is OH or OCOCH.sub.3, and R″ is H, a monovalent cation, any C1-C10 alkyl group (saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched), any C7-C10 alkaryl group, or a phenyl group; and (b) an alkoxylated amine represented by the structure: in which A is selected from N, N.sup.1R.sub.1, or N.fwdarw.O, and wherein R.sub.1 is H, methyl or benzyl, R.sub.2 is any C8-C22 alkyl group (saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched), R.sub.3 is any C2-C4 alkyl group (linear or branched), x is in the range of 0 to 4 and y+z is in the range of 2 to 50. A method of use is also included, as is a method for preparing the composition.

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 present invention relates to a calcium-based bentonite and a soil-improving agent including same. More specifically, the calcium-based bentonite is characterized by including a peak at a 2θ value of 4° to 8° in an X-ray diffraction (XRD) graph.

The present invention relates to a calcium-based bentonite and a soil-improving agent including same. More specifically, the calcium-based bentonite is characterized by including a peak at a 2θ value of 4° to 8° in an X-ray diffraction (XRD) graph.

A composition for weed control and fertilizer comprising iron hydroxyl ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, humate, microelements, soy hydrolysate, calcium lignin, a natural-based wetting agent, molasses desurgarized solubles, and water, and may further comprise glycerin and/or preservatives, are provided. Methods for weed control and fertilization of plants comprising the steps of providing a composition comprising an effective amount of iron hydroxyl ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, humate, microelements, soy hydrolysate, calcium lignin, a natural-based wetting agent, and molasses desurgarized solubles, and applying an effective amount of the composition to soil or a plant or a weed, are also provided.

A composition for weed control and fertilizer comprising iron hydroxyl ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, humate, microelements, soy hydrolysate, calcium lignin, a natural-based wetting agent, molasses desurgarized solubles, and water, and may further comprise glycerin and/or preservatives, are provided. Methods for weed control and fertilization of plants comprising the steps of providing a composition comprising an effective amount of iron hydroxyl ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, humate, microelements, soy hydrolysate, calcium lignin, a natural-based wetting agent, and molasses desurgarized solubles, and applying an effective amount of the composition to soil or a plant or a weed, are also provided.

Described herein is a stable dry composition comprising a compound with herbicide activity located on a carrier compound and a compound with amphiphilic properties coating at least part or all of the compound with herbicide activity and carrier compound. Methods of manufacture and application of the dry composition are also described along with storage stable plant and herbicide compositions and methods of co-administration of combination plant and herbicide compositions.

A composition is provided comprising as component (A) at least one insecticide; and as component (B) at least one fertilizer. The composition is effective in controlling nematodes and in promoting plant growth. The at least one insecticide is preferably selected from thiodicarb, abamectin, imidacloprid, fipronil and mixtures thereof. The fertilizer component preferably comprises one or more amino acids and one or more micronutrients. A method of controlling nematodes and/or promoting plant growth using a combination of component (A) and component (B) is also provided.