A pellet made of dried, unfermented livestock manure has N, P and K values in the range of N: 3 to 7 g/kg, as ammoniac and organic nitrogen, P: 2 to 6 g/kg as phosphorus pentoxide and K: 2 to 6 g/kg as potassium oxide (g/kg). The pellet has a hardness exceeding 10 kg and has a shell composed of manure-base lignin. A press roll, including a hollow rotatable drum with a perforated screen, may be used in combination with an endless belt and a scraper to produce the pellet.

A compact comprising particles and an active agent selected from a pesticide, a herbicide, a plant nutrient, a fertilizer, an arthropod attractant such as a semiochemical, a semiochemical, a food or protein bait, and including mixtures of two or more thereof.

Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.

A soil amendment for use in an organic system includes a protein ingredient and a binder binding with the protein ingredient to form a pellet. The protein ingredient is at least one of a plant-based protein and an animal-based protein. The binder is a grain processing by-product.

A soil amendment for use in an organic system includes a protein ingredient and a binder binding with the protein ingredient to form a pellet. The protein ingredient is at least one of a plant-based protein and an animal-based protein. The binder is a grain processing by-product.

The invention provides a process for the preparation an emulsion of elemental sulphur particles, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first stream comprising a liquid fertilizer and/or a liquid fertilizer precursor; (b) providing a second stream comprising liquid elemental sulphur; and (c) mixing the first stream and the second stream in a mixing device in the presence of a multifunctional ionic surfactant to form an emulsion comprising elemental sulphur particles which are coated with a layer of the multifunctional ionic surfactant and dispersed in the fertilizer and/or the fertilizer precursor, whereby a temperature is applied which maintains the elemental sulphur substantially in the liquid form in the mixing device. The invention further provides an elemental sulphur-containing fertilizer obtainable by a process according to the invention.

A method comprising (a) obtaining rock fines comprising at least one of basalt, metabasalt, diabase, rhyolite, andesite, meta-andesite, granite, graphite, talc, silica, sand, perlite, or a combination thereof, (b) obtaining a binder, (c) obtaining a material comprising at least one of Ca, Mg, S, B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn, or a combination thereof, and (d) combining ingredients comprising the rock fines, the binder, and the material.

A method comprising (a) obtaining rock fines comprising at least one of basalt, metabasalt, diabase, rhyolite, andesite, meta-andesite, granite, graphite, talc, silica, sand, perlite, or a combination thereof, (b) obtaining a binder, (c) obtaining a material comprising at least one of Ca, Mg, S, B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn, or a combination thereof, and (d) combining ingredients comprising the rock fines, the binder, and the material.

A method of fertilizing a plant including applying a composition to a root of the plant. The composition includes a spinel ferrite with a formula of Mn.sub.xZn.sub.yFe.sub.2O.sub.4, where x+y=1. Particles of the spinel ferrite are spherical and have an average diameter of 10-20 nm. The plant has at least a 40% increase in leaf size compared to a plant under the same conditions but without applying the composition.

A method of fertilizing a plant including applying a composition to a root of the plant. The composition includes a spinel ferrite with a formula of Mn.sub.xZn.sub.yFe.sub.2O.sub.4, where x+y=1. Particles of the spinel ferrite are spherical and have an average diameter of 10-20 nm. The plant has at least a 40% increase in leaf size compared to a plant under the same conditions but without applying the composition.