Abstract:
The present invention relates to a synergistic composition useful as plant and soil health enhancer, comprising urine, neem and garlic, individually or in all possible combinations, with the treatment showing it has the ability to stimulate accumulation of nutrients in the plant biomass, proliferation of plant growth promoting, phosphate solubilizing, abiotic stress tolerant and antagonists towards plant pathogenic fungi, control phytopathogenic fungi in the rhizosphere of plants, and enhances the total phenolic contents of the plants.
Abstract:
An animal feed is provided that employs a substantially indigestible cation exchanger capable of binding ammonium cations and an acidogenic substance to acidify an animal's manure and thereby create ammonium cations that can be bound by the cation exchanger. The animal feed reduces ammonia emissions from manure produced by animals fed the animal feed compared to the emissions obtained from manure when an acidogenic substance is fed alone and compared to the emissions obtained from manure when a cation exchange capacity material is fed alone. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of lowering ammonia emissions from manure is provided. The present invention also provides a method for reducing soluble phosphorus levels in manure and a method for reducing total phosphorus levels in manure. In a further aspect of the present invention, a method is provided that yields manure that may be used alone or in concert with other materials to act as a fertilizer having advantageous ecological properties. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for reducing insect populations associated with manure.
Abstract:
An improved process for enhancing the plant nutrient value of relatively low analysis organic waste material (e.g., sewage sludge) involves treating the waste material with an acid and base in a pipe-cross reactor. The process more particularly involves mixing the waste material with water to form a slurry (or initially taking the waste material as a slurry); pumping the slurry to a pipe-cross reactor for reaction with a base, acid, and water to form a melt; spraying the melt onto a recycling bed of fines in a granulator, and flashing off the water contained in the melt as steam; rolling the melt onto recycled fine particles in a granulator to form granulated particles; and drying these granulated particles to form an enhanced plant nutrient value composition (e.g., a fertilizer or soil conditioner having a greater “NPK” value than the original relatively low analysis organic waste material). The invention also includes fertilizers produced according to the improved process, which fertilizers are of the same size and shape and density of commonly used fertilizers. The method advantageously utilizes the heat generated by the exothermic acid-base reaction in the pipe-cross reactor to remove the approximately 80% water from sludge, thus saving large amounts of energy normally used in conventional drying or burning methods, while, at the same time, conserving the intrinsic values of the nutrients and humates contained in the sludge. In one embodiment, the process includes a method of disposing of spent acid from a hot dip galvanizing process or a steel pickling process involving incorporating the spent acid to maintain the low pH of a venturi scrubber used in the improved process.
Abstract:
A method of treating animal manure yielding a final liquid fraction and solid fractions whereby the final liquid fraction has a suspended solids (SS) content of about 3g/L or lower comprising subjecting at least a part of said manure to a first biological passive flotation step in a flotation unit having a hydraulic residency time (HRT) of about 4 to about 24 hours with a polymer to yield a first flotation solid fraction and a first flotation liquid fraction, said method comprising a further treatment. An apparatus for treating animal manure comprising a main flotation unit having a HRT of about 4 to about 24 hours, said main flotation units including skimming means for removing floating solids from at least a portion of the surface of the manure and dredging means for removing settled contaminants from at least a portion of the bottom of the tank, whereby at least a part of said manure is directed to the main flotation unit wherein it is separated in a first floating solids fraction, a second liquid fraction and a first settled solids fraction and wherein the second liquid fraction has a SS content of about 3g/L or lower.
Abstract:
This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of manure to novel fertilizer and/or soil builder products useful as input for organic farming operations. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel. The dryer vessel receives the manure for contact with the turbine exhaust gases to convert the manure to a dry material, which is passed to the processing unit where it is formed into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final dry fertilizer product. The method comprises drying, heating and converting the manure to form novel self binding fertilizer and soil builder type products for organic farming and other uses.
Abstract:
An apparatus and system for separating manure and sand in animal bedding is disclosed. The system separates the manure and sand by using a separator filled with water that agitates the sand/manure mixture with air and water. The manure removed from the separator is further processed to remove excess water from the manure. A spinning or centrifugal device is used to remove excess water from the manure.
Abstract:
This invention relates generally to biological control of plant disease. The invention discloses an antagonistic Trichoderma fungal strain that targets soil-born fungi from the genus Fusaria and the genus Rhizoctonia.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for preparing a biological fertilizer composition that comprises yeast cells and swine manure. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor.
Abstract:
The present invention provides biological fertilizer compositions that comprise yeast cells and swine manure. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor. The biological fertilizer composition of the invention can replace mineral fertilizers in supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to crop plants. Methods of manufacturing biological fertilizer compositions, and methods of uses are also encompassed.
Abstract:
An animal bedding composition and method of manufacture includes cut or shredded pieces of multiple panel corrugated cardboard kraft paper structures having an internal corrugated panel sandwiched between outer panels, and an adsorptive deodorizing ion exchange agent such as a zeolite dispersed throughout the cardboard pieces and carried on outer and inner surfaces of the pieces of cardboard and on outer and inner surfaces of the corrugations to provide a comfortable, hygienic and deodorized floor covering for animal stalls. An automated method of manufacturing the animal bedding composition is also described. The ion exchange agent attaches to surfaces of the corrugated cardboard which serves as a carrier to sanitize and deodorize a stall. The open structure of the cut corrugations provides mechanical load absorption, and a wicking action to aerate moisture from a stall. The ion exchange agent carried by the corrugated pieces removes ammonia odor from urine and provides slow release potassium and, when loaded with ammonium, slow release of nitrogen for agricultural fertilization. Carbon in the kraft paper from which the corrugated cardboard is constructed attracts nitrogen from urine, yielding excellent fertilizing material with rapid biodegradation.