The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of liquid or sludge slow-release compositions suitable for agricultural use, comprising one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of fertilizers, pesticides, lipophilic and/or hydrophilic compounds, and mixtures of non-pathogenic bacteria together with lipophilic and/or hydrophilic compounds, wherein these actives become encapsulated in an alginate matrix. The direction also encompasses compositions prepared by this process and methods for using said compositions for the delivery and slow release of agrochemicals and other actives in close proximity to the roots of plants.

The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of liquid or sludge slow-release compositions suitable for agricultural use, comprising one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of fertilizers, pesticides, lipophilic and/or hydrophilic compounds, and mixtures of non-pathogenic bacteria together with lipophilic and/or hydrophilic compounds, wherein these actives become encapsulated in an alginate matrix. The direction also encompasses compositions prepared by this process and methods for using said compositions for the delivery and slow release of agrochemicals and other actives in close proximity to the roots of plants.

Disclosed herein are mineral-based composites that comprise gypsum, syngenite, brucite and a hydrated magnesium sulphate mineral, and which are adapted to degrade when buried. Also disclosed herein are mineral mixtures which can be used to produce the mineral-based composites, as well as products, such as plantable containers, formed from the mineral-based composites and which degrade when buried.

Disclosed herein are mineral-based composites that comprise gypsum, syngenite, brucite and a hydrated magnesium sulphate mineral, and which are adapted to degrade when buried. Also disclosed herein are mineral mixtures which can be used to produce the mineral-based composites, as well as products, such as plantable containers, formed from the mineral-based composites and which degrade when buried.

A granule defined by a shape and a size, including a mass formed of a plurality of soluble fertilizer particles and a plurality of humic particles and an extended-release polymer coating surrounding an exterior surface of the mass. A process for forming the granule includes providing a mass of a plurality of soluble fertilizer particles and a plurality of humic particles and applying an extended-release coating to an exterior surface of the mass. The granule is used in a method for enhancing root growth of a target plant, such as turf grass, by applying a plurality of the granules to the target plant and allowing sufficient time for extended release of nutrients and humics from the plurality of granules.

A bacterial product may comprise strains Azospirillum oryzae AO.sub.512, Azospirillum lipoferum AL.sub.20, Pantoea dispersa PD.sub.2, Bacillus subtilis TU.sub.2, Lysinibacillus sphaericus 3S and Paenibacillus polymyxa SR.sub.17, in a total minimal concentration of 10.sup.8 CFU/g (Colony forming Units). These bacteria may be attached to an insoluble granular carrier formed of a mixture of natural clays and minerals. This formulation may preserve the viability of the microorganism for a long time while in storage, as well as after its application on the field. These microorganisms, as PGPR, may be capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilize phosphates, potassium, as well as other minerals immobilized in the soil, which allows for a drastic reduction, and even for a complete elimination, of conventional fertilization methods. These bacteria are not harmful in any sense neither to human beings nor the environment.

A bacterial product may comprise strains Azospirillum oryzae AO.sub.512, Azospirillum lipoferum AL.sub.20, Pantoea dispersa PD.sub.2, Bacillus subtilis TU.sub.2, Lysinibacillus sphaericus 3S and Paenibacillus polymyxa SR.sub.17, in a total minimal concentration of 10.sup.8 CFU/g (Colony forming Units). These bacteria may be attached to an insoluble granular carrier formed of a mixture of natural clays and minerals. This formulation may preserve the viability of the microorganism for a long time while in storage, as well as after its application on the field. These microorganisms, as PGPR, may be capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilize phosphates, potassium, as well as other minerals immobilized in the soil, which allows for a drastic reduction, and even for a complete elimination, of conventional fertilization methods. These bacteria are not harmful in any sense neither to human beings nor the environment.

The present invention concerns a process for preparing a composite of porous material/compound/hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure, said hybrid 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)
wherein
x is a number such that 0≤x<1.2 and
R represents a C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl group, an aryl group, a (C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl)aryl group or an O—(C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl) group, it being possible for the alkyl group to be substituted with a group chosen from a phenyl, vinyl, aminopropyl or mercaptopropyl group,
and said compound being chosen from the group constituted of at least one active substance and at least one microorganism and mixtures thereof the process comprising:
a) the step of sol-gel synthesis of the hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure in the presence of the compound and of the porous material saturated with the compound;
b) the recovery of the composite. It also concerns a composite obtainable by means of this process, a composition comprising it and its use in particular for the fertilization of plants.

The present invention concerns a process for preparing a composite of porous material/compound/hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure, said hybrid 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)
wherein
x is a number such that 0≤x<1.2 and
R represents a C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl group, an aryl group, a (C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl)aryl group or an O—(C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl) group, it being possible for the alkyl group to be substituted with a group chosen from a phenyl, vinyl, aminopropyl or mercaptopropyl group,
and said compound being chosen from the group constituted of at least one active substance and at least one microorganism and mixtures thereof the process comprising:
a) the step of sol-gel synthesis of the hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure in the presence of the compound and of the porous material saturated with the compound;
b) the recovery of the composite. It also concerns a composite obtainable by means of this process, a composition comprising it and its use in particular for the fertilization of plants.

The present disclosure relates to biodegradable materials and methods of removing using the biodegradable materials to remove phosphorus from water. Additionally, the biodegradable materials may be used as a fertilizer.