Disclosed are methods of improving germination rates of plants/crops, as well as preventing or arresting water evaporation loss from targeted soil areas, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by crops, plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.

Disclosed are methods of improving germination rates of plants/crops, as well as preventing or arresting water evaporation loss from targeted soil areas, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by crops, plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.

Provided is a carbon-based functional material (simply as FCN or FCN material) and applications thereof. The carbon-based functional material consists of three elements, namely carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, having sp2 carbons as the backbone and functional groups R formed on the surface and/or periphery of a carbon backbone substrate, the R functional groups being a combination of groups such as a hydroxyl, carboxyl, ether bond, epoxy, carbonyl, aldehyde, ester, and alkyl. The carbon-based functional material can have interactive effects with plants, microorganisms, and soil environments, provides the function of inducing or regulating biosynthesis and metabolic pathways, also can serve as a carrier for an organically catalyzed synthesis and an intermediate material for biosynthesis, and be prepared as a plant enzyme activating agent and catalyst, a chemical fertilizer additive, a microorganism culturing composition, a soil conditioner, and is broadly applicable in the fields of agricultural production and the environment.

Provided is a carbon-based functional material (simply as FCN or FCN material) and applications thereof. The carbon-based functional material consists of three elements, namely carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, having sp2 carbons as the backbone and functional groups R formed on the surface and/or periphery of a carbon backbone substrate, the R functional groups being a combination of groups such as a hydroxyl, carboxyl, ether bond, epoxy, carbonyl, aldehyde, ester, and alkyl. The carbon-based functional material can have interactive effects with plants, microorganisms, and soil environments, provides the function of inducing or regulating biosynthesis and metabolic pathways, also can serve as a carrier for an organically catalyzed synthesis and an intermediate material for biosynthesis, and be prepared as a plant enzyme activating agent and catalyst, a chemical fertilizer additive, a microorganism culturing composition, a soil conditioner, and is broadly applicable in the fields of agricultural production and the environment.

The present invention relates to the use of foaming additives in liquid, paste or powder form, to condition soil excavated with a tunnel boring machine. Said additives can be classified as readily biodegradable and are characterised by a lower ecotoxicological impact than commercial products.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A fertilizer/soil conditioner or a fuel source material is formed by processing animal waste by-products through the use of a rotary biomass dryer system. The animal waste by-product includes without limitation manure obtained from cattle or swine; feed lot bedding, poultry litter, a digestate of animal waste by-products obtained from an anaerobic digester, municipal waste, waste meat renderings, waste meat, or a mixture thereof. The processed material may comprise a higher amount of ash and a lower amount of volatile material than the animal waste by-product. The processed material may be stored as a powder or processed into pellets, logs, pucks, briquettes or another convenient shape form.

A fertilizer/soil conditioner or a fuel source material is formed by processing animal waste by-products through the use of a rotary biomass dryer system. The animal waste by-product includes without limitation manure obtained from cattle or swine; feed lot bedding, poultry litter, a digestate of animal waste by-products obtained from an anaerobic digester, municipal waste, waste meat renderings, waste meat, or a mixture thereof. The processed material may comprise a higher amount of ash and a lower amount of volatile material than the animal waste by-product. The processed material may be stored as a powder or processed into pellets, logs, pucks, briquettes or another convenient shape form.

Provided are a method of suppressing dust generation, a soil stabilizer composition including a salt of lysine and citric acid; and a solvent, and a spraying device including the same. The method of suppressing dust generation, the method comprising: preparing a soil stabilizer composition comprising a salt of lysine and citric acid; and a solvent; and spraying the soil stabilizer composition on soil.