Compositions including a core particle including at least one fertilizer nutrient and a shell substantially covering the core particle, wherein the shell includes at least one polymer layer or wax layer and one or more species of microbes (such as a population of cells from at least one species of microbes) are provided. In some embodiments, at least one of the polymer layer and/or the wax layer includes the one or more species of microbes. In other examples, the one or more species of microbes are included between layers, for example, between two polymer layers, between two wax layers, or between a polymer layer and a wax layer. Methods of preparing the compositions are also provided. Methods of using the disclosed compositions that include contacting soil, plants, plant parts, or seeds with the composition are provided.

Compositions including a core particle including at least one fertilizer nutrient and a shell substantially covering the core particle, wherein the shell includes at least one polymer layer or wax layer and one or more species of microbes (such as a population of cells from at least one species of microbes) are provided. In some embodiments, at least one of the polymer layer and/or the wax layer includes the one or more species of microbes. In other examples, the one or more species of microbes are included between layers, for example, between two polymer layers, between two wax layers, or between a polymer layer and a wax layer. Methods of preparing the compositions are also provided. Methods of using the disclosed compositions that include contacting soil, plants, plant parts, or seeds with the composition are provided.

A process of manufacturing a coated fertilizer comprising: providing at least partially coated fertilizer granules having an at least partial coating comprising a polymer and a wax; and conditioning the at least partially coated fertilizer granules at a temperature of 40 to 130 C. for a time of 1 minute to 4 hours, to form a coating comprising interpenetrating domains comprising polymer domains and wax domains.

A process of manufacturing a coated fertilizer comprising: providing at least partially coated fertilizer granules having an at least partial coating comprising a polymer and a wax; and conditioning the at least partially coated fertilizer granules at a temperature of 40 to 130 C. for a time of 1 minute to 4 hours, to form a coating comprising interpenetrating domains comprising polymer domains and wax domains.

A fertilizer composition including a base fertilizer granule with a hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic coating that reduces fertilizer caking and dust formation. The coating can include a roughening component, which creates micron-scale surface roughness, and a hydrophobic coating. Together, the components of the coating act to physically protect water soluble fertilizers granules from the ingress of moisture and from caking, and increase the resistance of the granules to abrasion.

A fertilizer composition including a base fertilizer granule with a hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic coating that reduces fertilizer caking and dust formation. The coating can include a roughening component, which creates micron-scale surface roughness, and a hydrophobic coating. Together, the components of the coating act to physically protect water soluble fertilizers granules from the ingress of moisture and from caking, and increase the resistance of the granules to abrasion.

A process for making a combined fertilizer comprising a first nitrogen-based fertilizer, such as urea or ammonium nitrate, and one or more further components chosen among: nitrogen-based fertilizers, being different from the first nitrogen-based fertilizer and nutrients, wherein the combined fertilizer is made by a process of granulation in a fluid bed, the fluid bed being preferably in a vortex condition.

A coating is applied in one or more layers on a granular material, such as a granular fertilizer material or the like. The coating may include a diisocyanate in either pure form or partially polymerized form, a polyol or polyol mix, and optionally a wax. The polyol or polyol mix may be, for example, a polyester polyol, a polyether polyol, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the polyol or polyol mix may be an aliphatic glycerine initiated polyether polyol, an aliphatic amine initiated trifunctional polyol, castor oil or castor oil derivative, or ethylene diamine that has been propoxylated or ethoxylated, and combinations thereof. The coating is reacted on the granular material.

A coating is applied in one or more layers on a granular material, such as a granular fertilizer material or the like. The coating may include a diisocyanate in either pure form or partially polymerized form, a polyol or polyol mix, and optionally a wax. The polyol or polyol mix may be, for example, a polyester polyol, a polyether polyol, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the polyol or polyol mix may be an aliphatic glycerine initiated polyether polyol, an aliphatic amine initiated trifunctional polyol, castor oil or castor oil derivative, or ethylene diamine that has been propoxylated or ethoxylated, and combinations thereof. The coating is reacted on the granular material.

The invention is directed to coated fertilizer granules and methods for manufacturing granules and using organically enhanced inorganic fertilizer granules, which incorporate a coating of one or more concentric layers over a core such that the coating contains a bioactive agent such as a herbicide, pesticide, plant growth regulator, microorganism, or beneficial element. Application of the coating to the fertilizer granule preferably involves binding of the bioactive agent to the surface of granule or to the organic components within the granule. The release of the bioactive agent from the coating and or the surface of the granule preferably results in a two-phased release, a first fast release and a second extended or slow-release of the bioactive agent into the soil metering the bioavailability of the bioactive agent for crop growth or protection, and/or for controlling unwanted vegetation or pests.