Slow-release fertilizer and method of making and using same

Abstract

There is disclosed a fertilizer composition comprising a water-insoluble slow-release reacted nitrogen fertilizer and an effective amount of a water-soluble, non-aromatic poly(amino acid) of the group poly(aspartic acid), poly(glutamic acid), poly(glycine), poly(lysine) a copolymer of cystein and glutamic acid and a terpolymer of cystein and glutamic acid and aspartic acid, wherein the poly(amino acid) has a molecular size larger than that which can be absorbed by a plant. A method of making and using the fertilizer composition is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Applicants claim the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 709,378 filed Aug. 18, 2005.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to slow-release nitrogen fertilizers. Specifically, the present invention relates to a fertilizer composition that releases nitrogen slowly for a full growing season and / or improves plant, crop and turf growth relative to slow-release nitrogen fertilizers of the prior art. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Through the years, a variety of techniques have been developed for delivering nutrients to growing plants and for extending or delaying the release of nutrients from a fertilizer. [0004] Fertilizer is often applied as a formulated (N—P—K) solid, granule or powder, or sometimes as a liquid, to an area to be fertilized. There are basically two types of fertilizers, water-soluble fertilizers and “slow-release” fertilizers. While water-soluble fertilizers are generally less expensive ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present invention satisfies the above-described needs by providing a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer composition that improves plant, crop and turf growth. The fertilizer composition of the present invention comprises a water-insoluble slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and the water-soluble poly(amino acids), and salts thereof, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,735 (incorporated herein by reference), in an amount sufficient to increase the period of release of nitrogen from said water-insoluble slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and / or to improve the growth of plants, crops or turf and improved the yield of crops to which it is applied. The water-insoluble slow-release fertilizer is preferably a water-insoluble reacted nitrogen fertilizer, especially methylene urea (also known as urea formaldehyde) or isobutylidene diurea.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer that improves the growth of plants and turf and improved the yield of crops.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer that results in reduced leaching of the fertilizer into ground water, streams, rivers and the like.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer that produces crops with improved taste and quality.

[0024] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer that produces crops that have better storage properties; i.e., a longer shelf life.

[0025] A further object of the present invention is to provide a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer that produces crops that are more disease free or less disease to produce better quality fruit and vegetables.

Problems solved by technology

While water-soluble fertilizers are generally less expensive than slow-release fertilizers, they have the disadvantage of leaching nutrients very quickly into and through the soil.

However, tests with water-soluble forms of nitrogen in combination with poly(aspartic acid), or hydrolyzed forms of poly(aspartic acid), have not proven to sufficiently enhance plant growth so as to make the use of this composition economically feasible.

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