U.S. patent application number 14/736840 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-11 for sulphur-based fertilizer composition with humic acid content.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tiger-Sul Products (Canada) Co.. Invention is credited to Steven Azzarello, Don T. Cherry, Guy Wesley Haun, Richard Valagene.
Application Number | 20160229761 14/736840 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54548230 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160229761 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cherry; Don T. ; et
al. |
August 11, 2016 |
Sulphur-Based Fertilizer Composition with Humic Acid Content
Abstract
Disclosed herein are fertilizer compositions with enhanced
sulphate release, methods of making the fertilizer compositions and
methods of using the fertilizer compositions. The disclosed
fertilizer compositions combine elemental sulphur with small
amounts (relative to the sulphur) of humic acid to enhance delivery
of sulphates to soil. The humic acid is added as a humic additive,
which may comprise 40% or more humic acid. In many embodiments, the
presence of small amounts of humic additive enhances the release of
sulphate from soil containing the fertilizer composition from about
1.5- to 4-fold over fertilizer compositions lacking the humic
additive.
Inventors: |
Cherry; Don T.; (Westport,
CT) ; Haun; Guy Wesley; (West Liberty, OH) ;
Azzarello; Steven; (Mundelein, IL) ; Valagene;
Richard; (Republic, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tiger-Sul Products (Canada) Co. |
Calgary |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
54548230 |
Appl. No.: |
14/736840 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62113139 |
Feb 6, 2015 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C05D 9/00 20130101; C05D
9/02 20130101; C05D 9/02 20130101; C05G 3/40 20200201; C05F 11/00
20130101; C05F 11/02 20130101; C05F 11/00 20130101; C05D 9/02
20130101; C05D 9/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C05D 9/00 20060101
C05D009/00; C05D 9/02 20060101 C05D009/02; C05G 3/00 20060101
C05G003/00 |
Claims
1. A fertilizer composition comprising: at least 50% by weight of
sulphur; and 0.01% to 5% by weight of humic additive.
2. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, further comprising a
swelling material.
3. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the sulphur is
elemental sulphur.
4. The fertilizer composition of claim 3, wherein the percentage of
elemental sulphur is at least 75% by weight of total weight of the
fertilizer composition.
5. The fertilizer composition of claim 4, wherein the percentage of
elemental sulphur is 85% by weight of total weight of the
fertilizer composition.
6. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the humic
additive is present in an amount of 0.1% to 1.0% by weight.
7. The fertilizer composition of claim 6, wherein the humic
additive is present in an amount of about 0.5% by weight.
8. The fertilizer composition of claim 2, wherein the fertilizer
composition is a controlled release fertilizer composition.
9. The fertilizer composition of claim 8, wherein the fertilizer
composition includes from 5% to 25% by weight of the swelling
material.
10. The fertilizer composition of claim 8, wherein the fertilizer
composition comprises from 5% to 15% by weight of the swelling
material.
11. The fertilizer composition of claim 2, wherein the swelling
material is a swelling clay.
12. The fertilizer composition of claim 11, wherein the swelling
clay is bentonite clay.
13. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, further comprising one
or more additional nutrients selected from the group consisting of
nitrogen, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, boron, manganese, and
magnesium.
14. The fertilizer composition of claim 13, wherein the one or more
additional nutrients is present in the fertilizer composition in an
amount of from about 0.01% to about 40% by weight.
15. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the fertilizer
composition is provided as one or more of a pellet, pastille, or
granule.
16. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the humic
additive contains at least 40% by weight of humic acid.
17. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the humic
additive contains at least 50% by weight of humic acid.
18. A method of fertilizing a plant, comprising: applying the
fertilizer composition of claim 1 to a soil.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the soil includes a plant or
plant seed.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein a plant or plant seed is added
to the fertilized soil.
21. A method of conditioning a soil, comprising: applying the
fertilizer composition of claim 1 to the soil.
22. A method of manufacturing a fertilizer composition containing
sulphur and humic acid, the method comprising: mixing molten
elemental sulphur and humic additive, wherein the humic additive
comprises from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the mixture; and cooling the
mixture to obtain the fertilizer composition.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising forming the
fertilizer composition into pastilles, pellets, or granules and
then cooling the composition below the melting point of sulphur in
the cooling step.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the humic additive has an
average particle size of less than 200 Mesh.
25. A sulphur-containing fertilizer composition comprising:
elemental sulphur at about 85% by weight of the total weight of the
composition; humic additive at about 0.5% by weight, wherein the
humic additive has an average size of less than 200 Mesh, and is at
least 50% humic acid; swelling clay at about 14.2.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority pursuant to 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/113,139, filed on Feb. 6, 2015, entitled "Sulphur-Based
Fertilizer Composition with Humic Acid Content," the content of
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure is directed to fertilizer
compositions with enhanced sulphate release, methods of making
fertilizer compositions and methods of using fertilizer
compositions.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Sulphur is an essential plant nutrient included in
fertilizer compositions to improve crop performance. In order to be
useable by plants, it is desirable that the sulphur be in the
sulphate form.
[0004] Natural fertilizer products, or products that are
certifiable as organic, are desirable. Elemental sulphur is one
type of sulphur additive used in organic farming. Before elemental
sulphur can be used by a plant, however, it must first be oxidized
to sulphate form. The sulphates may then be taken up by the
plants.
[0005] Alkaline (or basic) soils may slow sulphur oxidation, as may
some other types of soil conditions (for example soil containing
carbonates, which may be found in arid zones). In some cases, soil
acidification may be needed to correct the soil pH where the pH is
high. Soil acidification may aid in converting elemental sulphur to
sulphate form. Microbial action may also aid in converting
elemental sulphur to sulphate.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to organic
fertilizer compositions that comprise elemental sulphur, swelling
clay, and humic acid. In one aspect the disclosed fertilizer
composition comprises at least 85% by weight of sulphur, 0.5% by
weight of humic additive, and the remainder bentonite clay. Many
embodiments comprise at least 50% by weight of sulphur; and 0.01%
to 5% by weight of humic additive, and may further comprise a
swelling material, such as swelling clay or bentonite clay; the
sulphur of the fertilizer composition may be elemental sulphur, for
example at a percentage of at least 75% by weight or 85% by weight;
the humic additive can be present in an amount of 0.1% to 1.0% by
weight, for example about 0.5% by weight, and the humic additive
may comprise greater than 40% or 50% humic acid. In many
embodiments, the fertilizer composition is a controlled release
fertilizer composition, comprising from 5% to 25% by weight, or 5%
to 15% by weight, of the swelling material. The fertilizer
composition may further comprise one or more additional nutrients
selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, potassium, iron,
copper, zinc, boron, manganese, and magnesium, wherein the one or
more additional nutrients is present in the fertilizer composition
in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 40% by weight. The
disclosed fertilizer composition can be provided as one or more of
a pellet, pastille, or granule.
[0007] Also disclosed are methods of fertilizing a plant,
comprising applying the disclosed fertilizer composition to a soil,
wherein the soil includes a plant or plant seed, or wherein a plant
or plant seed is added to the soil after the fertilizer is
dispersed in the soil. Methods of conditioning a soil are also
disclosed, the methods comprising applying the disclosed fertilizer
composition to the soil. Also disclosed are methods of
manufacturing a fertilizer composition containing sulphur and humic
acid, the method comprising mixing molten elemental sulphur and
humic additive, wherein the humic additive comprises from 0.1% to
5% by weight of the mixture, and cooling the mixture to obtain the
fertilizer composition, wherein the method may further comprise
forming the fertilizer composition into pastilles, pellets, or
granules and then cooling the composition below the melting point
of sulphur in the cooling step, and the humic additive may have an
average particle size of less than 200 Mesh.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
process for producing a fertilizer composition.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a graph comparing various soil treatments,
including one embodiment of the presently claimed composition.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a graph of results from tests performed comparing
various embodiments of the disclosed fertilizer composition.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a graph of results from tests performed comparing
various embodiments of the disclosed fertilizer composition.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a graph of results from tests performed comparing
various embodiments of the disclosed fertilizer composition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Elemental sulphur is an excellent source of sulphur in
fertilizers. However, before the sulphur can be used by a plant,
the elemental sulphur must be converted to sulphate. In many cases
this is aided by the action of microorganisms present in the soil.
Disclosed herein are surprising results demonstrating a process of
delivering elemental sulphur to soil in a form that enhances
delivery of sulphates to the soil. Surprisingly, the presence of
humic acid enhances conversion to, and release of, plant-useable
sulphates from the disclosed fertilizer. The humic acid may aid
microorganisms, present in the soil, in converting the elemental
sulphur into the plant-useable sulphate form. As such, a fertilizer
composition combining elemental sulphur with small amounts of humic
acid can provide synergistic effects with respect to the
availability of plant-useable sulphate.
[0014] One advantage of including humic acid with elemental sulphur
in a fertilizer composition is that the organic acids of the humic
acid can, in some cases, enhance microbial breakdown of sulphur
into plant-available sulphate form. This increases the rate at
which the elemental sulphur is available to the plant. Furthermore,
incorporating humic acid into an elemental sulphur-containing
fertilizer can facilitate soil management/conditioning because the
amount of plant-available sulphur in the soil can be more easily
regulated without the need for other compounds to be added to the
soil.
[0015] The fertilizer composition described herein may include an
amount of elemental sulphur (about 70% by weight or more) in
combination with lower amounts of humic compounds (15% by weight or
less). In one embodiment, the amount of elemental sulphur may be
about 80.5% by weight and the amount of humic additive may be about
0.5%, with the remainder comprising other additives selected from
colorants, binders, and swelling materials.
Sulphur Component
[0016] The sulphur component of the disclosed fertilizer
composition can be comprised substantially of elemental sulphur. As
discussed in connection with the production of fertilizer pastilles
below, elemental sulphur can be provided in molten, crystalline, or
powdered form and mixed with other components of the disclosed
fertilizer compound. The sulphur component can be greater than
about 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% by weight elemental sulphur. In
many embodiments, the sulphur component is a certified organic
material.
[0017] The sulphur component can constitute the bulk of the
fertilizer composition (i.e., at least about 50% by weight) and can
form the matrix of the fertilizer in which the other components are
distributed. In some aspects, the sulphur component can be present
in the fertilizer composition in an amount of from about 40% to
about 95% by weight, from about 60% to about 90% by weight, or from
about 80% to about 90% by weight, for example about 85% by weight.
In many embodiments, the weight of the sulphur component as a
percentage of the total weight of the fertilizer composition is
greater than about 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%,
85%, 90%, or 95%, and less than about 99%, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%,
70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, or 45%. In one embodiment, the sulphur
component may be about 90% or about 85% of the fertilizer mix.
[0018] As used herein, the term "about" will be understood to
broaden the ranges somewhat to include values that may be
attributable to known errors in measurement, compounding the
fertilizer composition, or expected variations in raw material
compositions. In most cases, the term "about" modifies the value by
.+-.10%.
Humic Additive
[0019] The humic additive of the disclosed fertilizer composition
can be obtained from various sources such as soil, sediments,
humus, peat, or other source of degraded organic matter. Humic acid
may refer to a complex mixture of organic acids, comprising humic
and fulvic acids.
[0020] The humic additive in the disclosed fertilizer composition
can be provided in various forms from granules to fines. In many
embodiments, the humic additive may be in granule or powdered form.
For example, the humic additive may be a fine powder of less than
about 40 Mesh (420 micron). In many embodiments, the humic acid
powder may comprise greater than about 50%, 55%, 60%, or 65% by
weight of particles with a mesh size less than about 200 Mesh (74
micron). Exemplary sources of humic additive can be found in Humics
and/or Leonardites from Western Canada and the American West.
[0021] The humic additive may comprise various percentages of humic
and/or fulvic acid. In many cases the humic and/or fulvic acid in
the humic additive may be between about 20% and 100% by weight of
the humic additive, for example between about 40% and 65%, or 45%
and 60%, or 50 and 55%. In many embodiments the percentage of
humic/fulvic acid is greater than about 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%,
55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%, and less than about
100%, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%,
35%, or 30%. In some embodiments, the humic additive may comprise
humic acid and various additional compounds, for example ash. As
used herein, humic acid may be used to refer to organic acids
derived from humic additives, for example humic acids and fulvic
acids.
[0022] The humic additive may be added to the disclosed fertilizer
composition in an amount from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of
the total weight of the fertilizer composition. In some embodiments
the humic additive can be included in the fertilizer composition in
an amount from about 0.05% to about 10%, from about 0.1% to about
5.0%, and from about 0.2% to about 2.0% by weight. In many
embodiments, the humic additive is included in the fertilizer
composition in a weight percent that is less than about 15%, 12.5%,
10%, 5.0%, 2.5%, 2.0%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.1%, 0.9%, 0.8%,
0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, or 0.1, and greater than about
0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1.0%,
1.1%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 10.0%, or 12.5%. In
one embodiment, the percent humic additive is about 0.5% by weight
of the total weight of the fertilizer composition.
[0023] The humic additive may be generally acidic, with a pH less
than about 7. In many embodiments, the pH of the humic additive may
be less than about 6.5, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, or 3.0 and
greater than about 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, or 6.5.
In some embodiments, the pH of the humic additive is between about
3 and 5, or 3.5 and 4.0.
Swelling Material
[0024] The disclosed fertilizer composition may further comprise a
swelling agent that may swell and expand when wetted. Thus, when
the fertilizer composition is in pastille, pellet, or similar form,
expansion of the swelling material may break the pastille, pellet,
or similar form and allow additional moisture as well as microbes
into the pastille. This expansion and ingress of moisture and
microbes may aid in further breaking the pastille into smaller
particles, which may aid in further enhancing breakdown and
allowing microorganisms enhanced access to the elemental sulphur so
that they can convert it into a plant-useable sulphate form. The
sulphate form is released into the soil where it can be used by
plants.
[0025] The swelling material may be a swelling clay, such as
high-swelling bentonite clay. One suitable bentonite clay product
is CANAPRILL PLUS available from Canadian Clay Products (Wilcox,
Saskatchewan) that has a 200 mesh particle size (85-95%). Another
suitable bentonite swelling clay is available from Muldoon
Minerals, Inc. (Muldoon, Tex.). In many embodiments, the swelling
material is certified or certifiable as an organic material.
[0026] The binding material can be present in the fertilizer
composition in amounts of about 2% to about 30% by weight. In many
embodiments, the binding material may be present in the fertilizer
composition from about 5% to about 25% by weight, from about 5% to
about 15% by weight, or from about 8% to about 12% by weight. In
one embodiment, for example where the sulphur component is 85% by
weight and the humic additive is 0.5% by weight, the swelling
material may be about 19% by weight of the total of the fertilizer
composition.
Other Components
[0027] The fertilizer composition can also optionally include other
components. For example, the composition may include various
colorants, binders, and/or nutrients, which may be included in the
sulphur component, humic additive, and swelling material, or may be
added separately. In some embodiments, the fertilizer composition
may include a colorant such as carbon. In some embodiments, the
colorant may comprise between about 0.1 and 1.0% by weight of the
fertilizer composition, or 0.2 and 0.5% by weight of the fertilizer
composition. In one embodiment, the colorant is carbon and its
percentage, by weight, in the fertilizer composition is 0.3%. One
exemplary carbon additive is THERMAX (N991, Cancarb, Alberta,
Canada).
[0028] In some embodiments the nutrient(s) is/are selected from
nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, boron, iron, copper, zinc,
manganese, magnesium and combinations of the foregoing. If boron is
present, the fertilizer composition can include a boron containing
compound as disclosed in application Ser. No. 13/761,788, filed
Feb. 7, 2013, entitled SULPHUR-BASED FERTILIZER COMPOSITION WITH
LOW ROCK PHOSPHATE CONTENT, and Ser. No. 13/657,550 filed on Oct.
22, 2012, entitled FERTILIZER COMPOSITION CONTAINING SULFUR AND
BORON, which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties, and disclose fertilizer compositions containing an
phosphorous and anhydrous boron (e.g. anhydrous borax).
[0029] Colorants and plant nutrients can be present in the
fertilizer composition in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 40%
by weight, from about 0.05% to about 20% by weight, or from about
0.1% to about 2% by weight, based on elemental weight. In some
embodiments, the optional plant nutrient is present at less than
about 100,000 ppm, 50,000 ppm, 20,000 ppm, 10,000 ppm, 5,000 ppm,
1,000 ppm, 500 ppm, 100 ppm, or 50 ppm.
Mixing
[0030] The humic additive is generally uniformly incorporated in
the fertilizer composition. In some embodiments, the humic additive
can be dispersed substantially uniformly in the elemental sulphur
matrix such that there is less than about a 10% variation of humic
additive in individual samplings (e.g., wherein the target
percentage of humic additive is 0.5%, separate samplings of 1 kg
could vary from 5.5 g to 4.5 g). Desired uniformity can be achieved
by ensuring sufficient mixing of the fertilizer components and by
using humic acid having a sufficiently small average particle size.
Substantial uniform distribution can provide a more predictable
controlled release of plant-soluble sulphate from the fertilizer
composition.
[0031] Controlled release fertilizer compositions release plant
nutrients in controlled amounts over time when the composition is
wetted. As the term is used herein, "controlled release" is
intended to refer to the gradual release of the sulphur component
from the fertilizer composition and does not necessarily refer to
the humic acid component from the humic additive. The humic acid
may or may not be released at controlled rates. The controlled
release compositions are typically provided in granule, pellet,
pastille, or particulate form. The fertilizer composition can be,
in one embodiment, generally spherical, or in another embodiment,
can be a generally pastille form. Shapes other than spherical and
pastille are also possible, including mixtures of shapes. The
spherical or pastille form of granulated fertilizer particles can
help to reduce the generation of fines due to abrasive inter
particle interaction which, in turn, reduces the amount of such
fines being rendered airborne as dust, increasing the amount of
fertilizer ultimately deposited on a specific piece of soil while
simultaneously reducing waste. In some embodiments, the pastille
may further include a dust suppressing additive and/or coating.
Some embodiments can include fertilizer pellet, pastille, granule,
of various shapes (pastille, spherical, oblong, and/or random etc.)
having at least one measurable dimension of about 0.5 to about 4
mm, or about 1 to 3 mm, or about 2.5 mm.
[0032] The order of addition or mixing the components and additives
of the disclosed fertilizer composition can be varied. In some
embodiments, a portion of the sulphur and all of the swelling
material may be combined first, and mixed, then the humic additive
can be added to the mixture of swelling material and sulphur. The
remainder of the sulphur may be added to the humic/sulphur/swelling
material mixture. In some embodiments, the swelling material and/or
the humic additive can be heated prior to their addition to the
mixture.
[0033] The fertilizer composition may be manufactured using a batch
method or using a continuous flow method. The exemplary methods for
the manufacture of the disclosed fertilizer composition are
described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, and discussed below.
However, the methods shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as discussed below,
are not intended to limit the method of production to a particular
method of manufacture.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary process for manufacturing a
controlled release rate fertilizer containing humic additive. Here,
molten sulphur having a temperature of about 250.degree. F. is
added to a storage tank. Heat is then added to the storage system
through a superheated steam line. In an alternative embodiment,
non-molten sulphur can be heated to a molten state and then added
to the storage tank. The sulphur is then transported to a mixing
tank. The molten sulphur can be pumped and metered into the mixing
tank. The mixing tank then mixes the molten sulphur while the humic
additive and binding material are added. In one embodiment, a
swelling clay, which can be bentonite clay, is added to the
continuously stirred molten sulphur. Humic additive is then added
to the mixture of molten sulphur and clay. The mixture is then
allowed to mix in the mixing tank for sufficient time to create a
substantially homogenous mixture. In one embodiment, the mixture
can be mixed for about 1 minute to about 10 hours, from about 10
minutes to about 5 hours, from about 15 minutes to about 1 hour, or
for about 30 minutes. Heat is added to the system to keep the
temperature well above the melting point of sulphur, e.g., at about
270.degree. F., during the mixing process.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
process for producing fertilizer pastilles with a rotoformer. The
molten mixture is pumped from the holding tank through a filter,
which may be a 270-mesh sized filter, for example. The filter can
alternatively be a 140-mesh, 230-mesh, 325-mesh or 400-mesh filter.
The molten mixture is then pumped through a rotoformer onto a steel
belt. After the molten mixture passes through the rotoformer onto
the steel belt, the molten mixture is then cooled on the belt to
form pastilles. In one embodiment, the steel belt can be
additionally cooled by spraying cooled water on the undercarriage
of the steel belt. The water can be recycled and cooled or chilled
prior to use in the sprayers. While FIG. 2 depicts a chiller for
use with the disclosed process, other methods, such as cooling with
a cooling tower, may be used to passively or actively reduce the
temperature. The molten mixture can also be cooled by allowing the
mixture to equilibrate with room temperature. After the pastilles
sufficiently harden, they can be removed from the belt with a
blade, and then either put into storage for bulk shipment or
packaged in smaller bags for distribution.
[0036] In some disclosed methods, the production of sulphur dust is
controlled and/or reduced. In some embodiment, a dust suppression
additive may be included with the composition to help reduce
sulphur dust during the handling of the pastille. The dust
suppressant additive may be added to the mixture or may be added as
a coating to the formed pastille. Other dust suppression
techniques, well known in the art, are also possible.
[0037] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the detailed description and the following
examples. As will be apparent, the invention is capable of
modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the
detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature
and not restrictive.
[0038] All references disclosed herein, whether patent or
non-patent, are hereby incorporated by reference as if each was
included at its citation, in its entirety. In case of conflict
between reference and specification, the present specification,
including definitions, will control.
[0039] Although the present disclosure has been described with a
certain degree of particularity, it is understood the disclosure
has been made by way of example, and changes in detail or structure
may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure as
defined in the appended claims.
Examples
Analysis of Humic Additive-Containing Fertilizers
[0040] Laboratory research trials were conducted to evaluate the
potential benefits of adding humic additives into sulphur-based
controlled release fertilizers. The laboratory used for both
Laboratory Trials was a member of the Canadian Association for
Laboratory Accreditation and was International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) 17025 certified.
Test 1
[0041] This study was conducted to evaluate the amount of sulphate
that is released from sulphur-based fertilizer compositions
containing a variety of additives. Results were collected over a
twelve week period.
[0042] In this trial: Control is a native soil sample without any
added fertilizer; T-90 is a granular degradable sulphur-based
fertilizer (about 90% sulphur by weight and about 10% bentonite
swelling clay by weight; TIGER 90CR.RTM.; Tiger-Sul Products);
T-90.cndot.0.5R is a granular degradable sulphur-based fertilizer
containing about 90% sulphur, about 0.5% rock phosphate, and the
remainder bentonite clay; T-90.cndot.0.5H is a granular degradable
sulphur-based fertilizer containing about 90% sulphur, about 0.5%
humic additive, and the remainder bentonite clay;
T-90.cndot.0.5R&H is a granular degradable sulphur-based
fertilizer containing about 90% sulphur, about 0.5% rock phosphate,
0.5% humic additive, and the remainder bentonite clay;
T-90.cndot.0.25R&H is a granular degradable sulphur-based
fertilizer containing about 90% sulphur, about 0.25% rock
phosphate, 0.25% humic additive, and the remainder bentonite clay;
T-85 is a granular degradable sulphur-based fertilizer containing
about 85% sulphur and the remainder bentonite clay: T-85.cndot.0.5R
is a granular degradable sulphur-based fertilizer containing about
85% sulphur, 0.5% rock phosphate, and the remainder bentonite clay;
T-85.cndot.0.5H is a granular degradable sulphur-based fertilizer
containing about 85% sulphur, 0.5% humic additive, and the
remainder bentonite clay; and T-85.cndot.0.25R&H is a granular
degradable sulphur-based fertilizer containing about 85% sulphur,
0.25% rock phosphate, 0.25% humic additive, and the remainder
bentonite clay.
[0043] The soil in each sample was inoculated with microorganisms
that oxidize sulphur prior to the commencement of testing. 250 mg
of each fertilizer composition was added to 200 g of soil at 24%
saturation. Water was passed through the soil and collected at the
intervals shown in Table 1. The water was analyzed for sulphate
content. The results are presented in TABLE 1 and shown at FIG.
3.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 T-90 .cndot. T-90 .cndot. T-90 .cndot. T-90
.cndot. T-85 .cndot. T-85 .cndot. T-85 .cndot. Control T-90 .5R .5H
.5R&H .25R&H .5R .5H .25R&H Week 1 29.1 52.0 135 139.0
114.0 130.0 201.0 197.0 163.0 Week 3 43.6 156.0 557 617.0 607.0
595.0 676.0 689.0 675.0 Week 6 39.3 370.0 1130 1128.0 1177.0 1208.0
1169.0 1307.0 1193.0 Week 9 37.8 577.0 1358 1374.0 1366.0 1432.0
1392.0 1457.0 1404.0 Week 12 40.7 651.0 1235 1319.0 1489.0 1437.0
1524.0 1573.0 1416.0
[0044] As can be seen from the values presented in TABLE 1, there
was a significant and surprising synergistic effect when humic
additive was combined with elemental sulphur. This effect is seen
with addition of a small amount of humic additive (relative to the
elemental sulphur) in the fertilizer granule, and results in
enhanced sulphate release. For example, the amount of sulphate
released from T-90 was increased by greater than 2-fold when the
fertilizer contained either 0.5% or 0.25% humic additive (compare
T-90 with T-90.cndot.0.5H, T-90.cndot.0.5R&H, and
T-90.cndot.0.25R&H). This enhancement is also seen with the 85%
sulphur fertilizer (see T-85.cndot.0.5H, T-85.cndot.0.25R&H).
The enhancement can be seen throughout the duration of the study
(at week 1, T-90.cndot.0.5H/T-90=2.67; at week 12,
T-90.cndot.0.5H/T-90=2.03).
[0045] Thus, as can be seen in TABLE 1, a small amount of humic
additive in the fertilizer composition had a significant effect on
the amount of sulphate released over the twelve week period. The
oxidation of sulphur into sulphate is typically accomplished
through microorganisms in the soil, and it is therefore believed
that the humic acid that is released by the humic additive may
enhance the ability of the micro-organisms to break down the
elemental sulphur.
Test 2
[0046] A second laboratory trial (see TABLE 2 below) was conducted
similarly to TEST 1. The fertilizer compositions have the same
composition as the fertilizers used in TEST 1.
[0047] Table 2 illustrates the results of the second laboratory
trial in which the various fertilizer compositions were compared.
This second trial was also performed under the same controlled
laboratory conditions as in TEST 1. In this study, the amount of
sulphate released was also measured over a twelve week period.
Results from this study are presented at TABLE 2 and shown,
graphically, at FIG. 4.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 T-90 .cndot. T-90 .cndot. T-90 .cndot. T-90
.cndot. T-85 .cndot. T-85 .cndot. T-85 .cndot. Control T-90 .5R .5H
.25R&H .5R&H .5R .5H .25R&H Week 1 85.9 138 408 476 389
445 565 493 523 Week 3 86.3 395 904 909 954 1025 1132 1316 1139
Week 6 102 525 1194 1394 1167 1249 1470 1516 1444 Week 9 106 713
1356 1444 1253 1496 1516 1626 1596 Week 12 155 926 1335 1568 1493
1583 1685 1595 1382
Test 3
[0048] A third laboratory trial (see TABLE 3 below) was conducted
similarly to TESTS 1 and 2. The fertilizer compositions used in
this test have similar compositions to the fertilizers used in
TESTS 1 and 2. However the humic additive used in TEST 3 was
obtained from Leonardite Products (SOURCE FINES; Williston, N.
Dak.). In addition, in TEST 3, only 0.5% humic additive and 0.5%
rock phosphate additives were tested, but not in combination as was
done in TESTS 1 and 2.
[0049] TABLE 3 presents the results of the third laboratory trial
in which the various fertilizers were compared. This trial was also
performed with native soil under the same controlled laboratory
conditions as in TESTS 1 and 2, and sulphate release measured over
a twelve week period. The results presented in TABLE 3 are shown,
graphically, in FIG. 5.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Week 1 Week 3 Week 6 Week 9 Week 12 Control
27.3 35.2 33.7 42 62 T-90 48 118 207 267 299 T-90.cndot..5H 85 412
697 808 1083 T-90.cndot..5R 73.4 242 521 822 1131 T-85 60.3 197 342
495 677 T-85.cndot..5H 99.2 445 696 967 1123 T-85.cndot..5R 93.5
366 459 865 1070
[0050] Here again, the controlled release fertilizers containing
humic additives show surprisingly enhanced sulphate release. As in
TESTS 1 and 2, the effect on sulphate release is about two-fold (at
week 3, T-85.cndot.0.5H/T-85=2.26; at week 12,
T-85.cndot.0.5H/T-85=1.66; and for T-90 the same weeks showed
sulphate release increases of 3.49 and 3.66).
[0051] Application of the disclosed fertilizer composition may also
be used to condition the soil, for example acidifying an alkaline
soil.
[0052] While the invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the
invention as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not
limiting. There are changes that may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *