Carriers are disclosed for supporting a plurality of agricultural cores on a plurality of core supports for coating by a flexible film. The plurality of core supports may include a pedestal for supporting a respective agricultural core and a core periphery region having a plurality of bridge elements which couple the pedestal to the connecting structure between the plurality of core supports. The carriers may include a vacuum system that independently communicates a partial vacuum to an aperture in each respective pedestal and a plurality of apertures in the core periphery region of a respective core support between the bridge elements.

The encapsulated sustained release urea fertilizer is a urea fertilizer and a stabilizer encapsulated in fumed silica. The stabilizer may be a gellan gum hydrogel or biochar. The encapsulated sustained release urea fertilizer allows for both immediate and sustained nitrogen release over time and displays reduced nitrogen volatilization and increased water holding capacity.

The invention relates to macro- and micro-liquid marbles (i.e. droplets of liquid with a particulate-based shell), and in particular, to photo-responsive macro- and micro-liquid marbles encapsulating a substance therein. Methods for forming the macro- and micro-liquid marbles, and use of the macro- and micro-liquid marbles, in controlled release applications are also disclosed.

A solid, particulate composition comprising a core comprising urea, and a solid layer at least partially covering the core, wherein the solid layer is an inhomogeneous layer, the solid layer comprising on its inner region a reaction product of an inorganic acid with the urea comprised in the core, and the solid layer comprising on its outer region a reaction product of the inorganic acid with a compound selected from the group consisting of oxides, carbonates, hydroxides, acetates and any mixture thereof, and a urease inhibitor of the type triphosphoric triamide. The present application also provides a method for preparing said solid, particulate composition and the use of said solid, particulate composition as a fertilizer.

A solid, particulate composition comprising a core comprising urea, and a solid layer at least partially covering the core, wherein the solid layer is an inhomogeneous layer, the solid layer comprising on its inner region a reaction product of an inorganic acid with the urea comprised in the core, and the solid layer comprising on its outer region a reaction product of the inorganic acid with a compound selected from the group consisting of oxides, carbonates, hydroxides, acetates and any mixture thereof, and a urease inhibitor of the type triphosphoric triamide. The present application also provides a method for preparing said solid, particulate composition and the use of said solid, particulate composition as a fertilizer.

A nitrogen activator additive to stabilize nitrogen fertilizer, where the activator is coated onto the nitrogen fertilizer, is provided. The nitrogen activator additive contains the novel compound ABT-PNB, a potassium compound, and chitosan, and provides controlled release of the nitrogen fertilizer which fertilizes crops using reduced levels of the nitrogen fertilizer and reduces the release of greenhouse gasses. Urea is an exemplary nitrogen fertilizer that can be used in this regard.

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

A fertilizer granule includes: a core including a fertilizer component; and a coat including a first micronutrient including organic zinc (Zn) complex and an inorganic Zn compound, and a second micronutrient including a metal that is different from metal in the first micronutrient. The coat forms a coating on an outer surface of the core. A method of making a fertilizer granule includes: forming or providing a core including a fertilizer component; and forming a liquid coat on an outer surface of the core to form the fertilizer granule, wherein the coat includes at least one coating, and wherein the coat includes a first micronutrient including an organic zinc (Zn) complex and an inorganic Zn compound, and a second micronutrient including a metal that is different from metal in the first micronutrient.

A fertilizer granule includes: a core including a fertilizer component; and a coat including a first micronutrient including organic zinc (Zn) complex and an inorganic Zn compound, and a second micronutrient including a metal that is different from metal in the first micronutrient. The coat forms a coating on an outer surface of the core. A method of making a fertilizer granule includes: forming or providing a core including a fertilizer component; and forming a liquid coat on an outer surface of the core to form the fertilizer granule, wherein the coat includes at least one coating, and wherein the coat includes a first micronutrient including an organic zinc (Zn) complex and an inorganic Zn compound, and a second micronutrient including a metal that is different from metal in the first micronutrient.

A photoactive coumarin monomer includes a substituted coumarin molecule that has at least two functional groups may be used to produce a polymer with a coumarin unit or a coumarin derivative unit as part of the polymer backbone. The polymer with a coumarin unit or a coumarin derivative unit as part of the polymer backbone may be photoresponsive and/or bioabsorbable. Photoresponsive polymers with a coumarin unit or a coumarin derivative unit as part of the polymer backbone may crosslink when irradiated at a wavelength of about 320 nm to about 420 nm. The crosslink may be separated when the polymers are irradiated at a wavelength of about 230 nm to about 300. The polymers may also photocleave when irradiated with light at a wavelength of about 230 nm to about 300.