Fertilizer containing soil composite nutrient quick release agent and slow release agent

Abstract

Fertilizers comprising a mixture comprising one or more of potassium phosphate, calcium sulfate, magnesium ammonium phosphate, and calcium ammonium phosphate are disclosed. Methods of making and using the fertilizer granules are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to European application number 22188756.5 filed on August 4, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background of the Invention I. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to fertilizer compositions containing fast-release agents and slow-release agents. In specific embodiments, the present disclosure relates to fertilizers containing calcium ammonium phosphate and / or magnesium ammonium phosphate, and calcium sulfate and / or potassium phosphate. II. Background Technology

[0004] Soil nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur, and trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper and magnesium, are useful for achieving prosperous agriculture and plant growth. During repeated cropping cycles, the amount of these nutrients in the soil can become depleted, resulting in inhibited plant growth and reduced yields. To offset this effect, fertilizers have been developed to help replace depleted important nutrients. To meet the diverse needs of global crop production, single-nutrient fertilizers and multi-nutrient fertilizers, such as blended fertilizers, have been developed.

[0005] Fertilizer application does not always provide all of the nutrients in the fertilizer to the plant in a short period of time. Some fertilizers contain nutrients that contain compounds that are not easily absorbed and used by the plant after application. In these cases, some fertilizers are applied before the plants are planted, or some fertilizers are over-applied close to the time of planting to provide the plant with enough nutrients initially. However, this comes at a cost of time, may require multiple soil treatments before or after planting, and / or increased costs.

[0006] Except quick-release fertilizer, plant such as crop plant needs nutrient at least in the whole growth period and maturity period of plant.However, many fertilizers can disperse, degrade or be absorbed in the short time after application when applied to soil.In order to solve this problem, fertilizer can be applied to the same plant for many times, or slow-release fertilizer can be used.The method of some slow-release fertilizers comprises polymer coated fertilizer core.However, many polymer coatings are expensive and / or will accumulate undesirably in soil over time after repeated application.The method of some slow-release fertilizers comprises coating or mixing insoluble metal oxides, such as MgO and CaO.However, even if these metal oxides provide any nutrient for plant, also can not provide too much. Summary of the invention

[0007] Disclosed herein are solutions to at least some of the problems discussed above, including the production of urea-free fertilizer products, and the production of fertilizer products having quick-release and slow-release properties for their nutrients. Certain aspects relate to the development of fertilizers that provide an initial amount of one or more than one nutrient, and then provide at least one controlled slow-release component of the nutrient. In some aspects, one or more than one component accumulates in the soil as a reservoir of nutrients, releasing over time. In some aspects, the solution is to provide a fertilizer comprising calcium (Ca) and / or magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), nitrogen (N) in the form of ammonium, sulfur (S) in the form of sulfate, and phosphorus (P) in the form of phosphate. In some aspects, the fertilizer comprises at least one metal ammonium phosphate compound for slowly releasing nutrients and metal phosphates and / or metal sulfates for quickly releasing nutrients. The metal ammonium phosphate compound can be used as a binder for other components in the fertilizer, such as metal phosphates and / or metal sulfates. In some embodiments, at least part of the fertilizer is synthesized by reacting metal oxides and / or metal carbonates such as calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and / or dolomite with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4). Non-limiting examples of the reaction may include the following:

[0008] CaO+3KOH+2H3PO4→CaHPO4+K3PO4+4H2O

[0009] MgO+3KOH+2H3PO4→MgHPO4+K3PO4+4H2O

[0010] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the fertilizer is synthesized by reacting a metal hydrogen phosphate compound such as CaHPO4 and / or MgHPO4 with an ammonia source such as ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) and / or ammonia to produce a metal ammonium phosphate salt such as CaNH4PO4 and / or MgNH4PO4. Non-limiting examples of reactions may include the following:

[0011] CaHPO4+NH4OH→CaNH4PO4

[0012] MgHPO4+NH4OH→MgNH4PO4

[0013] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the fertilizer is synthesized by reacting potassium hydroxide (KOH) with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to produce potassium phosphate (K3PO4). Non-limiting examples of reactions may include the following:

[0014] KOH+H3PO4→K3PO4+3H2O

[0015] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the fertilizer is synthesized by mixing CaNH4PO4 and / or MgNH4PO4 with calcium sulfate (CaSO4), MgSO4, and / or K3PO4 to produce a fertilizer composition. In some cases, the CaSO4 can be waste CaSO4, such as phosphogypsum (PG) or red gypsum (RG).

[0016] The final product may contain a mixture of the above chemical compositions, including but not limited to any one of the complexes CaSO4 / K3PO4 / CaNH4PO4, CaSO4 / K3PO4 / MgNH4PO4 and CaSO4 / K3PO4 / CaNH4PO4 / MgNH4PO4.

[0017] In some aspects, the chemical composition of the fertilizer and the reactions that produce the chemical composition of the fertilizer can be described by the formula in Table 1.

[0018] Table 1

[0019]

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure are improvements over known fertilizers, including the use of a slow-release agent comprising nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and a metal such as calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) and a quick-release agent comprising potassium (K), Ca, and P. In some embodiments, this mixture allows for the immediate release of phosphates and also allows for the controlled slow release of phosphates. Current slow-release fertilizer products typically use physical intervention to slow the release of the fertilizer, such as by coating the fertilizer with an insoluble material to slow the release of the fertilizer. Current slow-release fertilizers may also employ enzyme inhibitors, such as urease inhibitors or nitrification inhibitors, to slow the utilization of the fertilizer. Although the fertilizers described herein may also contain physical interventions and / or inhibitors, the fertilizers described herein do not always require these measures to produce slow-release nutrient fertilizer compositions and quick-release nutrient fertilizer compositions.

[0021] Embodiments herein describe the mixture of nutrients, and the preparation of this mixture, which plays a dual role, first, for being applied immediately to the soil, and secondly, for accumulating fertilizer in the soil, as a storage depot of nutrients, to release nutrients over time. The quick-release aspect of fertilizer can include or consist of any soluble salt selected from MgSO , CaSO , K PO , CaCl , KCl, NiSO , ZnSO , FeCl , FeSO and any combination thereof. The slow-release aspect of fertilizer can include or consist of one or more than one double salt, such as calcium ammonium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate comprising any proportion. In some cases, the slow-release aspect of fertilizer can also include insoluble oxides or insoluble salts, including those containing Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Ni. Insoluble salts can include or consist of simple salts, such as MgCO , CaCO , FeCO or the combination of these salts.

[0022] In some aspects, the fertilizer comprises or consists of a blend of calcium ammonium phosphate and calcium sulfate, and optionally potassium phosphate. In some aspects, the fertilizer comprises or consists of a blend of magnesium ammonium phosphate and calcium sulfate, and optionally potassium phosphate. In some aspects, the fertilizer comprises or consists of a blend of calcium ammonium phosphate, magnesium ammonium phosphate, and calcium sulfate, and optionally potassium phosphate.

[0023] The composition comprising calcium sulfate described herein may comprise waste gypsum from different processes, which allows the waste gypsum to be recycled into fertilizer. Waste gypsum may include several different or several combined sources of calcium sulfate CaSO4 (such as natural gypsum, flue gas desulfurization products, recycled gypsum, or paper and additives from different gypsum products [Jiménez-RiveroJusto García-Navarro, in Advances in Construction and Demolition WasteRecycling, 2020]).

[0024] Waste gypsum is an industrial solid waste that can be divided into two categories: phosphogypsum (PG) and red gypsum (RG). The main component of waste gypsum is CaSO4 with a theoretical CaO content of 32.6% by weight, which can store about 0.26 kg / ton of CO2. PG is produced when phosphoric acid is produced by a wet acid process. It is estimated that 4.5 to 5 tons of PG are produced for every ton of phosphoric acid produced. The global annual production of PG is estimated to exceed 100 million tons. The main impurities in PG can be free phosphoric acid, phosphates, organic matter and fluoride.

[0025] Recycled gypsum can provide sulfur and can be used in the fertilizer compositions herein. As disclosed herein, combination with calcium ammonium phosphate and / or magnesium ammonium phosphate can produce advanced nutrients containing complex elements with both rapid and slow release properties.

[0026] Titanium oxide production plants produce six tons of RG for every ton of titanium dioxide produced. The annual production of RG is estimated to be over 15 million tons. The content of CaSO4·2H2O in RG is 60 wt% to 80 wt% and about 30 wt% Fe2O3 as the main impurity. RG can appear red or yellow. In certain aspects, the calcium sulfate contains red gypsum, and the fertilizer produced therefrom can contain additional nutrients Fe in the form of iron (II) phosphate.

[0027] Fertilizers contemplated in certain embodiments herein include ingredients that can be used to compensate for near-term soil P and K deficiencies in the form of readily soluble potassium phosphates, while also compensating for long-term N and P requirements through slow release of CaNH4PO4 or MgNH4PO4.

[0028] Some aspects relate to a fertilizer comprising a homogenous mixture containing a nitrogen source, a potassium source, and a phosphorus source. In some aspects, the homogenous mixture comprises a binder. The binder may comprise a slow-release agent. The slow-release agent may comprise calcium ammonium phosphate (CaNH4PO4), magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4), or a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4. In some aspects, the homogenous mixture comprises a quick-release agent. The quick-release agent may comprise potassium phosphate (K3PO4), magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), calcium sulfate (CaSO4), nickel sulfate (NiSO4), zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), ferrous sulfate (II) (FeSO4), or a combination thereof.

[0029] In some aspects, the sustained release agent can also include magnesium oxide (MgO), calcium oxide (CaO), zinc oxide (ZnO), nickel oxide (NiO), magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), iron (II) carbonate (FeCO3), dolomite, or a combination thereof.

[0030] In some aspects, the quick-release agent includes or consists of CaSO4, MgSO4 and / or K3PO4. CaSO4 can be contained in waste gypsum and / or recycled gypsum. In some aspects, the fertilizer does not include a binder different from calcium ammonium phosphate (CaNH4PO4), magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4) or a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4. The fertilizer can be a granular fertilizer. In some aspects, the fertilizer includes iron (II) phosphate. In some aspects, the fertilizer includes potassium hydroxide (KOH), potassium carbonate (K2CO3) and / or potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). In some aspects, the fertilizer includes dolomite.

[0031] In certain aspects, the weight ratio of the rapid release agent to the sustained release agent is about 3: 1 to about 1: 5, such as 3: 1, 2: 1, 1: 1, 1: 2, 1: 3, 1: 4 or 1: 5. In certain aspects, the rapid release agent comprises CaSO4 and K3PO4 in a weight ratio of about 3: 1 to about 1: 3, such as 3: 1, 2: 1, 1: 1, 1: 2 or 1: 3.

[0032] Some aspects relate to a method for manufacturing fertilizers, which include any fertilizer described herein. The method may include steps (a), (b), (c) and / or (d). In step (a), CaO, MgO, MgCO3, CaCO3 and / or dolomite may be contacted with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to produce a first reaction product comprising calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4) and / or magnesium hydrogen phosphate (MgHPO4). In step (b), the first reaction product may be contacted with an ammonia source such as ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) and / or ammonia (NH3) to produce a second reaction product comprising CaNH4PO4 and / or MgNH4PO4. In step (c), potassium hydroxide (KOH) may be contacted with H3PO4 to produce a third reaction product comprising K3PO4. In step (d), the second reaction product, the third reaction product and CaSO4 may be combined to produce a fertilizer mixture. In some aspects, the method for manufacturing fertilizers includes drying the fertilizer mixture to form a solid fertilizer composition. In certain aspects, the combining step (d) comprises combining the third reaction product with CaSO4 in a weight ratio of about 3:1 to about 1:3, such as 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and / or comprises combining the third reaction product and CaSO4 with the second reaction product in a weight ratio of the combination of the third reaction product and CaSO4: the second reaction product of about 3:1 to about 1:5, such as 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 or 1:5. Steps (a), (b), (c) and / or (d) can occur at about 55°C to about 75°C, such as 55°C, 56°C, 57°C, 58°C, 59°C, 60°C, 61°C, 62°C, 63°C, 64°C, 65°C, 66°C, 67°C, 68°C, 69°C, 70°C, 71°C, 72°C, 73°C, 74°C or 75°C. The CaSO4 used in the method may include red gypsum and / or waste gypsum from H3PO4 production. In some aspects, the fertilizer composition comprises or consists of one or two of CaSO4, K3PO4, and CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4. In some aspects, the ammonia source comprises a solution of ammonium hydroxide, ammonium, ammonium carbonate, ammonia gas, succinimide, and / or phthalimide.

[0033] The following Aspect 1 to Aspect 27 of the present invention are also disclosed.

[0034] Aspect 1 is a fertilizer composition comprising:

[0035] A sustained-release agent comprising calcium ammonium phosphate (CaNH4PO4), magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4), or a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4;

[0036] Immediate release formulations, which include calcium sulfate (CaSO4), potassium phosphate (K3PO4) and / or magnesium sulfate (MgSO4).

[0037] Aspect 2 is the fertilizer composition described in Aspect 1, wherein the composition comprises other slow-release agents, and the other slow-release agents include magnesium oxide (MgO), calcium oxide (CaO), zinc oxide (ZnO), nickel oxide (NiO), magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), iron (II) carbonate (FeCO3) or a combination thereof.

[0038] Aspect 3 is the fertilizer composition described in any one of aspects 1 to 2, wherein the rapid-release agent further comprises nickel sulfate (NiSO4), zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), iron (II) sulfate (FeSO4) or a combination thereof.

[0039] Aspect 4 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the rapid-release agent comprises CaSO4.

[0040] Aspect 5 is the fertilizer composition of aspect 4, wherein the CaSO4 is contained in waste gypsum and / or recycled gypsum.

[0041] Aspect 6 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the fertilizer does not contain a binder other than calcium ammonium phosphate (CaNH4PO4), magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4), or a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4.

[0042] Aspect 7 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the fertilizer composition is a granular fertilizer.

[0043] Aspect 8 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 7, further comprising iron (II) phosphate (FePO 4 ).

[0044] Aspect 9 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 8, further comprising KOH, K2CO3 and / or KHCO3.

[0045] Aspect 10 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 9, further comprising dolomite.

[0046] Aspect 11 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the weight ratio of the rapid-release agent to the slow-release agent is about 3:1 to about 1:5.

[0047] Aspect 12 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the rapid release agent comprises K3PO4.

[0048] Aspect 13 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the composition comprises CaSO4 and K3PO4 in a weight ratio of about 3:1 to about 1:3.

[0049] Aspect 14 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein the slow-release agent comprises a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4.

[0050] Aspect 15 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 14, wherein the composition does not contain MgNH4PO4.

[0051] Aspect 16 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 15, wherein the composition does not contain CaNH4PO4.

[0052] Aspect 17 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 16, wherein the fertilizer composition comprises a nitrogen source, a phosphorus source, and a potassium source.

[0053] Aspect 18 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 17, wherein the fertilizer is homogeneous.

[0054] Aspect 19 is a method for producing a fertilizer composition, the method comprising the steps of:

[0055] (a) contacting CaO, MgO, MgCO3, CaCO3 and / or dolomite with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to produce a first reaction product comprising calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4) and / or magnesium hydrogen phosphate (MgHPO4);

[0056] (b) contacting the first reaction product with an ammonia source to produce a second reaction product comprising CaNH4PO4 and / or MgNH4PO4;

[0057] (c) contacting potassium hydroxide (KOH) with H3PO4 to produce a third reaction product comprising K3PO4; and

[0058] (d) combining the second reaction product, the third reaction product, and CaSO4 to produce a fertilizer mixture.

[0059] Aspect 20 is the method of aspect 19, further comprising drying the fertilizer composition to form a solid fertilizer composition.

[0060] Aspect 21 is the method of any of aspects 19 or 20, wherein the combining step (d) comprises combining the third reaction product with CaSO4 in a weight ratio of about 3:1 to about 1:3.

[0061] Aspect 22 is the method of any one of Aspects 19 or 21, wherein the combining step (d) comprises combining the third reaction product and CaSO4 with the second reaction product in a weight ratio of the combination of the third reaction product and CaSO4:the second reaction product of about 3:1 to about 1:5.

[0062] Aspect 23 is the method of any one of aspects 19 to 22, wherein steps (a), (b) and / or (c) occur at 55°C to 75°C.

[0063] Aspect 24 is the method of any one of Aspects 19 to 23, wherein the CaSO4 comprises red gypsum and / or waste gypsum from H3PO4 production.

[0064] Aspect 25 is the method of any one of aspects 19 to 24, wherein the fertilizer composition comprises one or both of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4, CaSO4, and K3PO4.

[0065] Aspect 26 is the method of any one of aspects 19 to 25, wherein the ammonia source is ammonium hydroxide (NH 4 OH) and / or ammonia (NH 3 ).

[0066] Aspect 27 is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 19 to 26, wherein the fertilizer composition is the fertilizer composition of any one of aspects 1 to 18.

[0067] The term "fertilizer" is defined as a substance applied to soil or plant tissue to provide one or more plant nutrients necessary or beneficial to plant growth, and / or a growth promoter or enhancer that promotes or enhances plant growth.

[0068] The term "granule" may include solid materials. Granules may have a variety of shapes, non-limiting examples of which include spheres, spheres, ovoids, rods, oblongs, or random shapes.

[0069] The term "particle" may include solid material having a largest dimension less than a millimeter.

[0070] The term "particulate" or "powder" may include a plurality of particles.

[0071] The term "about" or "approximately" is defined as close to what is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. In a non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined as within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%.

[0072] The terms "wt %, "volume %" or "mole %" refer to the weight percent, volume percent or mole percent of a component based on the total weight of the material containing the component, the total volume of the material or the total moles of the material, respectively. In a non-limiting example, 10 g of a component in 100 g of material is 10 wt %.

[0073] When an element is preceded by an indefinite number and used with the term "including", it can mean "a", but can also be consistent with the meaning of "one or more", "at least one", and "one or more than one".

[0074] The phrase "and / or" means "and" or "or". For example, A, B, and / or C includes: A alone, B alone, C alone, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B, and C. In other words, "and / or" serves as an inclusive "or".

[0075] The words "comprising," "having," "including," or "containing" are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0076] Compositions and methods of use thereof may "comprise," "consist essentially of," or "consist of" any of the ingredients or steps disclosed throughout the specification. Compositions and methods that "consist essentially of" any of the disclosed ingredients or steps limit the scope of the claims to specific materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel features of the claimed invention.

[0077] It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specification can be implemented with respect to any method or composition of the invention, and vice versa. In addition, the compositions of the invention can be used to implement the methods of the invention.

[0078] Other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following specific embodiments. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments and specific examples, although indicating specific embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, because various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] The following drawings form part of this specification and are included to further illustrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in conjunction with the detailed description of specific embodiments provided herein.

[0080] Figure 1: An exemplary cross-sectional view of a fertilizer granule according to a non-limiting example of a fertilizer granule described herein.

[0081] Figure 2 : Schematic diagram of a system and method for producing fertilizer according to a non-limiting example of the systems and methods disclosed herein.

[0082] Figure 3 : Schematic diagram of a system and method for producing fertilizer according to another non-limiting example of the systems and methods disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide benefits for existing fertilizers, including by having quick-release and slow-release properties to the nutrients constituting the fertilizers. Some aspects provided herein enable fertilizers to release nutrients such as nutrients comprising phosphates into the soil immediately for use by plants, and fertilizers can also be made to slowly release nutrients over a period of time such as throughout the growth cycle of plants, and these nutrients can also include phosphates. In some aspects, it is not necessary to use adhesives, inhibitors, or other interventions of compounds other than fertilizer nutrients to achieve dual release capabilities. In some embodiments, fertilizers include double salts, such as metal ammonium phosphates, such as calcium ammonium phosphate (CaNH4PO4), magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4), or a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4; and include potassium phosphate (K3PO4), magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), calcium sulfate (CaSO4), nickel sulfate (NiSO4), zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), ferrous sulfate (II) (FeSO4) or a quick-release agent of its combination, which can be a chemical composition and / or a homogeneous mixture. Metal ammonium phosphate compounds can act as binders for other components in fertilizers.

[0084] I. Fertilizer

[0085] Certain embodiments herein relate to compound fertilizers including complex salts such as metal ammonium phosphates and soluble compositions, the metal ammonium phosphates may include CaNH4SO4 and / or MgNH4SO4, the soluble compositions may include CaSO4, MgSO4 and / or K3PO4. Certain aspects relate to the use of fertilizer ingredients from natural sources such as CaSO4, CaO, MgO, CaCO3, MgCO3, H3PO4, NH4OH and KOH to synthesize nutrient complexes. In addition to these feed sources, ammonia is also used in some embodiments.

[0086] Fertilizer can be fertilizer granules, and it can comprise the homogeneous mixture containing calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), nitrogen (N) existing in the form of ammonium, sulfur (S) existing in the form of sulfate. The ratio of the elements present in the fertilizer can be customized for specific applications. At least a portion of Ca can exist in the form of calcium ammonium phosphate and / or calcium sulfate. In some aspects, based on the gross weight of Ca in the homogeneous mixture, at least 90 wt %, or at least 95 wt %, or 90 wt % to 100 wt %, or at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following or between any two of the following Ca: 90 wt %, 91 wt %, 92 wt %, 93 wt %, 94 wt %, 95 wt %, 96 wt %, 97 wt %, 98 wt %, 99 wt %, 99.5 wt % and 100 wt %, can exist in the form of calcium ammonium phosphate and / or calcium sulfate. In some embodiments, the Ca in the homogenous mixture is at least any of the following, at most any of the following, equal to any of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, 7 wt%, 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt%, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt% %, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt%, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, %, 77 wt %, 78 wt %, 79 wt %, 80 wt %, 81 wt %, 82 wt %, 83 wt %, 84 wt %, 85 wt %, 86 wt %, 87 wt %, 88 wt %, 89 wt %, 90 wt %, 91 wt %, 92 wt %, 93 wt %, 94 wt %, 95 wt %, 96 wt %, 97 wt %, 98 wt %, 99 wt %, 99.5 wt %, and 100 wt % may be in the form of calcium ammonium phosphate. In some embodiments,The Ca content of the homogeneous mixture is at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, 7 wt%, 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt%, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, %, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt%, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, %, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, and 100% by weight can be in the form of calcium sulfate. In some aspects, the homogenous mixture can include i) CaNH4SO4, based on the total weight of the homogenous mixture and / or the fertilizer granules,The amount of CaNH4SO4 is at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, 7 wt%, 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, %, 23 wt %, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27 wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %, 30 wt %, 31 wt %, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35 wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %, 38 wt %, 39 wt %, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43 wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt %, 46 wt %, 47 wt %, 48 wt %, 49 wt %, 50 wt %, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt%, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, 77 wt%, 78 wt%, 79 %, 80 wt. %, 81 wt. %, 82 wt. %, 83 wt. %, 84 wt. %, 85 wt. %, 86 wt. %, 87 wt. %, 88 wt. %, 89 wt. %, 90 wt. %, 91 wt. %, 92 wt. %, 93 wt. %, 94 wt. %, 95 wt. %, 96 wt. %, 97 wt. %, 98 wt. %, 99 wt. %, 99.5 wt. % and 100 wt. %; ii) MgNH4SO4, based on the total weight of the homogeneous mixture and / or the fertilizer granules,The amount of MgNH4SO4 is at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, 7 wt%, 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, %, 23 wt %, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27 wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %, 30 wt %, 31 wt %, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35 wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %, 38 wt %, 39 wt %, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43 wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt %, 46 wt %, 47 wt %, 48 wt %, 49 wt %, 50 wt % %, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt%, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, 77 wt%, 78 wt%, % by weight, based on the total weight of the homogenous mixture and / or the fertilizer granules,The amount of K3PO4 is at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 0 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, 7 wt%, 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, %, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt%, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, %, 50% by weight, 51% by weight, 52% by weight, 53% by weight, 54% by weight, 55% by weight, 56% by weight, 57% by weight, 58% by weight, 59% by weight, 60% by weight, 61% by weight, 62% by weight, 63% by weight, 64% by weight, 65% by weight, 66% by weight, 67% by weight, 68% by weight, 69% by weight, 70% by weight, 71% by weight, 72% by weight, 73% by weight, 74% by weight, 75% by weight, 76% by weight, % by weight, based on the total weight of the homogenous mixture and / or the fertilizer granules,The amount of CaSO4 is at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 0 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, 7 wt%, 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, %, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt%, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 9 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt%, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, %, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% and 99% by weight; and MgSO4, based on the total weight of the homogenous mixture and / or the fertilizer granules,The amount of MgSO4 is at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 0 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, 7 wt%, 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, %, 21 wt %, 22 wt %, 23 wt %, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27 wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %, 30 wt %, 31 wt %, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35 wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %, 38 wt %, 39 wt %, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43 wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt %, 46 wt %, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt%, %, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, 77 wt%, 78 wt%, 79 wt%, 80 wt%, 81 wt%, 82 wt%, 83 wt%, 84 wt%, 85 wt%, 86 wt%, 87 wt%, 88 wt%, 89 wt%, 90 wt%, 91 wt%, 92 wt%, 93 wt%, 94 wt%, 95 wt%, 96 wt%, 97 wt%, 98 wt% and 99 wt%.

[0087] In some aspects, the homogenous mixture comprises Ca, Mg, N, P, K and / or S, wherein i) the Ca content in the homogenous mixture can be at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, 7 wt%, 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt%, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 %, 17% by weight, 18% by weight, 19% by weight, 20% by weight, 21% by weight, 22% by weight, 23% by weight, 24% by weight, 25% by weight, 26% by weight, 27% by weight, 28% by weight, 29% by weight, 30% by weight, 31% by weight, 32% by weight, 33% by weight, 34% by weight, 35% by weight, 36% by weight, 37% by weight, 38% by weight, 39% by weight, 40% by weight, 41% by weight, 42% by weight, 43% by weight, 44% by weight %, 45% by weight, 46% by weight, 47% by weight, 48% by weight, 49% by weight, 50% by weight, 51% by weight, 52% by weight, 53% by weight, 54% by weight, 55% by weight, 56% by weight, 57% by weight, 58% by weight, 59% by weight, 60% by weight, 61% by weight, 62% by weight, 63% by weight, 64% by weight, 65% by weight, 66% by weight, 67% by weight, 68% by weight, 69% by weight, 70% by weight, 71% by weight, 72% by weight %, 73% by weight, 74% by weight, 75% by weight, 76% by weight, 77% by weight, 78% by weight, 79% by weight, 80% by weight, 81% by weight, 82% by weight, 83% by weight, 84% by weight, 85% by weight, 86% by weight, 87% by weight, 88% by weight, 89% by weight, 90% by weight, 91% by weight, 92% by weight, 93% by weight, 94% by weight, 95% by weight, 96% by weight, 97% by weight, 98% by weight, 99% by weight, 99.% and 100 wt %, ii) the Mg content in the homogeneous mixture may be at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt %, 4 wt %, 5 wt %, 6 wt %, 7 wt %, 8 wt %, 9 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, %, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt% %, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt%, 3 wt%, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, 77 wt%, 78 wt%, 79 wt%, 80 wt%, 81 wt%, 82 wt%, 83 wt%, 84 wt%, 85 wt%, 86 wt%, 87 wt%, 88 wt%, 89 wt%, 90 wt%, 91 wt%, 92 wt%, 93 wt%, 94 wt%, 95 wt%, 96 wt%, 97 wt%, 98 wt%, 99 wt%, 99.5 wt % and 100 wt %, iii) the N content in the homogeneous mixture may be at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt %, 4 wt %, 5 wt %, 6 wt %, 7 wt %, 8 wt %, 9 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, %, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt% %, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt%, 3 wt%, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, 77 wt%, 78 wt%, 79 wt%, 80 wt%, 81 wt%, 82 wt%, 83 wt%, 84 wt%, 85 wt%, 86 wt%, 87 wt%, 88 wt%, 89 wt%, 90 wt%, 91 wt%, 92 wt%, 93 wt%, 94 wt%, 95 wt%, 96 wt%, 97 wt%, 98 wt%, 99 wt%, 99.5 wt % and 100 wt %, iv) the P content in the homogeneous mixture may be at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt %, 4 wt %, 5 wt %, 6 wt %, 7 wt %, 8 wt %, 9 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, %, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt%, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt%, 3 wt%, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, 77 wt%, 78 wt%, 79 wt%, 80 wt%, 81 wt%, 82 wt%, 83 wt%, 84 wt%, 85 wt%, 86 wt%, 87 wt%, 88 wt%, 89 wt%, 90 wt%, 91 wt%, 92 wt%, 93 wt%, 94 wt%, 95 wt%, 96 wt%, 97 wt%, 98 wt%, 99 wt%, 99.5 wt % and 100 wt %; v) based on the total weight of the homogenous mixture and / or the fertilizer granules, the K content in the homogenous mixture can be at least any of the following, at most any of the following, equal to any of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt %, 4 wt %, 5 wt %, 6 wt %, 7 wt %, 8 wt %, 9 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %, %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, 19 wt %, 20 wt %, 21 wt %, 22 wt %, 23 wt %, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27 wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %, 30 wt %, 31 wt %, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35 wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %, 38 wt %, 39 wt %, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43 wt %, 44 wt %, %, 45 wt%, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, %, 73 wt%, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, 77 wt%, 78 wt%, 79 wt%, 80 wt%, 81 wt%, 82 wt%, 83 wt%, 84 wt%, 85 wt%, 86 wt%, 87 wt%, 88 wt%, 89 wt%, 90 wt%, 91 wt%, 92 wt%, 93 wt%, 94 wt%, 95 wt%, 96 wt%, 97 wt%, 98 wt%, 99 wt%, 99.5 wt % and 100 wt % and vi) based on the total weight of the homogenous mixture and / or the fertilizer granules, the S content in the homogenous mixture can be at least any of the following, at most any of the following, equal to any of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt %, 4 wt %, 5 wt %, 6 wt %, 7 wt %, 8 wt %, 9 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt % %, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 %, 46 wt%, 47 wt%, 48 wt%, 49 wt%, 50 wt%, 51 wt%, 52 wt%, 53 wt%, 54 wt%, 55 wt%, 56 wt%, 57 wt%, 58 wt%, 59 wt%, 60 wt%, 61 wt%, 62 wt%, 63 wt%, 64 wt%, 65 wt%, 66 wt%, 67 wt%, 68 wt%, 69 wt%, 70 wt%, 71 wt%, 72 wt%, 73 wt% %, 74 wt%, 75 wt%, 76 wt%, 77 wt%, 78 wt%, 79 wt%, 80 wt%, 81 wt%, 82 wt%, 83 wt%, 84 wt%, 85 wt%, 86 wt%, 87 wt%, 88 wt%, 89 wt%, 90 wt%, 91 wt%, 92 wt%, 93 wt%, 94 wt%, 95 wt%, 96 wt%, 97 wt%, 98 wt%, 99 wt%, 99.5 wt% and 100 wt%. .

[0088] Ca, Mg, N, P, K and / or S can exist as water-soluble compounds or water-insoluble compounds and / or be derived from water-soluble compounds or water-insoluble compounds. In some cases, Ca, Mg, N, P, K and / or S can exist as salts. In some cases, Ca, Mg, N, P, K and / or S can exist as water-soluble salts. In some cases, water-soluble Ca can be CaSO4. In some cases, water-soluble P can be K3PO4. In some cases, water-soluble Mg can be MgSO4. Ca, Mg, N, P, K and / or S can be in non-hydrate form and / or one or more than one hydrate form.

[0089] The moisture content of the dried fertilizer can be less than 1 wt %, such as 0.1 wt % to 0.9 wt %, or any one or two of 0.1 wt %, 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt %, 0.4 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 0.6 wt %, 0.7 wt %, 0.8 wt %, 0.9 wt % or 1 wt %, or any range thereof, based on the weight of the fertilizer particles. As a non-limiting example, the moisture content can be measured by drying the sample at 50° C. for 25 minutes and measuring the amount of fertilizer mass loss after drying.

[0090] In some specific aspects, the CaSO 4 may comprise phosphogypsum and / or red gypsum, and / or the CaSO 4 may be obtained from phosphogypsum and / or red gypsum.

[0091] Fertilizer can be any suitable shape.Non-limiting shape comprises sphere, cube, cylinder, spherical, ovate and oblong.In some respects, fertilizer granules can be cylindrical, and it has the cross section of circle, ellipse, ovate, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon or hexagon, but also can be made into the cylindrical core that has cross section and is other shapes.In some respects, the widest dimension of fertilizer granules can be 0.5mm to 6mm, or be 0.5mm to 5mm, preferably 1mm to 4mm, or be at least following any one, at most following any one, equal following any one or between following any two: 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm and 6mm. In some particular aspects, the fertilizer particles can be substantially spherical, with an average diameter of 0.5 mm to 6 mm, or 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably 1 mm to 4 mm, or at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, 5 mm, 5.5 mm and 6 mm.

[0092] The fertilizer can be water dispersible and / or soil dispersible. In some aspects, at ambient temperature, under stirring at a rate of 90 rpm to 110 rpm, within 1 minute of adding the particles to water having a pH of 7, the fertilizer particles having a particle size of 2 mm to 4 mm before being added to the water can disintegrate into particles having a particle size of less than 1 mm, less than 0.9 mm, less than 0.8 mm, less than 0.7 mm, less than 0.6 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.4 mm, or less than 0.3 mm.

[0093] A homogenous mixture can have a substantially homogeneous composition of ingredients. In some cases, the composition of a 1 mm×1 mm×1 mm cube at any location in the mixture can be similar to the composition of a 1 mm×1 mm×1 mm cube at any other location in the mixture (within ±20%, or ±10%, or ±5%, or ±3%, ±2%, or ±1%, or ±0.5%).

[0094] refer to Figure 1 , shows a fertilizer granule 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fertilizer granule 100 may include a homogenous mixture 101. Homogenous mixture 101 may have a composition as described above. In some cases, homogenous mixture 101 may have an optional coating 102 on the outer surface of homogenous mixture 101. In some cases, CaNH4PO 4 and / or MgNH4PO4 can be used as a binder in fertilizers. In some cases, CaNH4PO 4 and / or MgNH4PO4 is the only binder in the fertilizer. In some cases, CaNH4PO 4 and / or MgNH4PO4 form an amorphous phase, a continuous phase, and / or encapsulate other components in the fertilizer. In some cases, the fertilizer comprises CaNH4PO 4 and / or MgNH4PO4, the matrix at least partially surrounding and / or encapsulating at least a portion of one or more than one rapid-release agent. In some cases, the fertilizer comprises particles of one or more than one slow-release agent and / or one or more than one rapid-release agent.

[0095] In some cases, other fertilizer materials may or may not be included in the fertilizer. If included, other fertilizers may be selected based on the specific requirements of certain types of soil, climate or other growth conditions to maximize the effect of fertilizers in enhancing plant growth and crop yield. Other additives may or may not be included in the fertilizer. Non-limiting examples of additives that may or may not be included in the fertilizer of the present invention include other nitrogen nutrients, other phosphorus nutrients, other potassium nutrients, other trace element nutrients and / or other secondary nutrients. Trace element nutrients may be copper, iron, chloride, manganese, molybdenum or nickel or any combination thereof. Nitrogen nutrients may be urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, urea-formaldehyde resin, ammonium chloride and potassium nitrate. In some respects, other secondary nutrients may include lime and / or superphosphate. In some cases, other fertilizer materials and / or other additives may be included in the optional coating of the fertilizer.

[0096] In some cases, the inhibitor includes a nitrification inhibitor and / or a urease inhibitor. Suitable nitrification inhibitors include, but are not limited to, 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), dicyandiamide (DCD), thiourea (TU), 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)-pyridine (chlorpyrifos), commercially available from OHP Inc., USA under the trade name 5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole, 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine (AM), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) or 2-sulfathiazole (ST) sold herein and any combination thereof. In one aspect, the nitrification inhibitor may include DMPP, DCD, TU, chlorpyrifos, 5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole, AM, MBT, or ST or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the fertilizer composition may include NBTPT, DMPP, TU, DCD, PPDA, chlorpyrifos, 5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole, AM, MBT, ST or a combination thereof.

[0097] In some cases, the binder includes phosphate, polyphosphate, biodegradable polymer, or wax or a combination thereof. Suitable waxes include, but are not limited to, vegetable wax, high melting point wax, ethylene bis stearamide wax, paraffin, polyethylene wax, and olefin wax. Suitable phosphates include, but are not limited to, diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate. Suitable polyphosphates include, but are not limited to, ammonium polyphosphate. Suitable biodegradable polymers include, but are not limited to, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylonitrile, biodegradable polylactic acid, and other biodegradable polymer materials, such as polylactic acid, poly(3-hydroxypropionic acid), polyvinyl alcohol, polyε-caprolactone, poly-L-lactide, polybutylene succinate, and biodegradable starch-based polymers. The binder may include plaster of Paris, flour, starch, gluten, kaolin, bentonite, colloidal silicon dioxide, or a combination thereof. Suitable flour includes, but is not limited to, rice flour, wheat flour, and bleached wheat flour. Suitable starch includes, but is not limited to, dextrin-modified starch.

[0098] In some cases, the pH buffer comprises MgO, KH2PO4, NaHCO3, chalk, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide / magnesium hydroxide coprecipitate, aluminum hydroxide / sodium bicarbonate coprecipitate, calcium acetate, calcium bicarbonate, calcium borate, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, calcium citrate, calcium gluconate, calcium hydroxide, dibasic sodium phosphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium acetate, magnesium borate, magnesium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium lactate, magnesium oxide, magnesium phosphate, magnesium silicate, magnesium succinate, magnesium tartrate, potassium acetate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium borate, potassium citrate, potassium metaphosphate, potassium phthalate, potassium phosphate, potassium polyphosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, potassium succinate, potassium tartrate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium borate, sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium gluconate, sodium hydrogen phosphate, hydrogenphosphate), sodium hydroxide, sodium lactate, sodium phthalate, sodium phosphate, sodium polyphosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium tartrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, synthetic hydrotalcite, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tripotassium phosphate, trisodium phosphate and tromethamine, and combinations thereof.

[0099] Fertilizer as described herein can be included in the composition for applying to soil. In some aspects, in addition to fertilizer as described herein, composition can also include other fertilizer compounds, trace element nutrients, major nutrients, urea, other nitrogen nutrients, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides or its combination. Fertilizer as described herein can also be included in the blended composition comprising other fertilizers. Other fertilizers can be urea, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), potassium chloride (MOP), monopotassium phosphate (MKP), triple superphosphate (TSP), phosphate rock, superphosphate (SSP), ammonium sulfate, etc.

[0100] The fertilizer formed into particles can have desired physical properties, such as desired levels of abrasion resistance, particle strength, granulation, hygroscopicity, particle shape, and particle size distribution. In some aspects, the compressive strength of the fertilizer particles can be higher than 1.5 kgf, such as higher than 1.8 kgf, such as 2 kgf to 6 kgf, or at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 2 kgf, 2.5 kgf, 3 kgf, 3.5 kgf, 4 kgf, 4.5 kgf, 5 kgf, 5.5 kgf, and 6 kgf. The bulk density of the fertilizer granules can be from 1 g / cc to 1.2 g / cc, or at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 g / cc, 1.02 g / cc, 1.04 g / cc, 1.06 g / cc, 1.08 g / cc, 1.1 g / cc, 1.12 g / cc, 1.14 g / cc, 1.16 g / cc, 1.18 g / cc, and 1.2 g / cc. In some aspects, 10 mg or more, such as 10 mg to 40 mg, or at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 10 mg, 11 mg, 12 mg, 13 mg, 14 mg, 15 mg, 16 mg, 17 mg, 18 mg, 19 mg, 20 mg, 21 mg, 22 mg, 23 mg, 24 mg, 25 mg, 26 mg, 27 mg, 28 mg, 29 mg, 30 mg, 31 mg, 32 mg, 33 mg, 34 mg, 35 mg, 36 mg, 37 mg, 38 mg, 39 mg, and 40 mg of the fertilizer granules can be dissolved in 1 ml of water at pH 7 within 5 minutes of adding 100 mg of the fertilizer granules to water at ambient temperature with stirring at a speed of 90 rpm to 110 rpm. In some aspects, the fertilizer granules can lose less than 0.13 weight percent in an attrition loss test, such as 0.02 weight percent to 0.12 weight percent, or lose up to, equal to, or between any two of 0.02 weight percent, 0.03 weight percent, 0.04 weight percent, 0.05 weight percent, 0.06 weight percent, 0.07 weight percent, 0.08 weight percent, 0.09 weight percent, 0.1 weight percent, 0.11 weight percent, and 0.12 weight percent. Attrition loss can be measured using the following attrition loss test.

[0101] Abrasion loss test: Weigh a number of sieved particles with a single particle size of 2 mm to 4 mm and a total volume of 100 cm 3The fertilizer granules (W1) were taken and placed in a test drum together with 50 stainless steel balls with a total weight of 100 g. The drum was closed and rotated at 30 rpm for 10 minutes. The balls were then separated from the sample and the material was sieved on a 2 mm sieve using a vibrating sieve. The total weight of the granules on the 2 mm sieve was then reweighed (W2). The results were calculated in weight loss % using the following formula:

[0102]

[0103] II. Method of producing fertilizer

[0104] refer to Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of a system and method for manufacturing fertilizer according to one embodiment of the present invention is described. System 200 may include a granulator 202 and a dryer 204. A feed mixture 206 may be granulated in the presence of water in the granulator 202 to form a wet granular mixture 208. Water may be provided with the feed mixture 206 and / or may be added separately to the granulator 202. The wet granular mixture 208 may be dried in the dryer 204 to obtain a dry granular mixture 210 containing fertilizer.

[0105] refer to Figure 3: A schematic diagram of a system and method for manufacturing fertilizer according to another embodiment of the present invention is described. System 300 may include a mixer / reactor 312, although the mixer and reactor may be two, three, four or more than four components, such as two reactors and one mixer or one reactor and one mixer. System 300 may include a granulator 302, a spheronizer 314, one or more particle size screens 316 and a dryer 304 or any combination thereof. Feed mixture components 318 may be added to the mixer / reactor 312 individually and / or in any possible combination. In the mixer / reactor 312, the feed components may react and / or mix to form a feed mixture 306. The feed mixture 306 may be granulated in the granulator 302 in the presence or absence of additional water to form a wet granular mixture 320. The particles in the wet granular mixture 320 may be spheronized in the spheronizer 314 to form a wet granular mixture 322 containing substantially spherical particles. The wet granular mixture 322 can pass through one or more sizing screens 316 to separate particles having a size smaller than a desired size or larger than a desired size from the wet granular mixture 322 and obtain a wet granular mixture 324 containing particles of the desired size. At least a portion of the particles 326 separated from the granular mixture 324 containing particles of the desired size can be recycled to the granulator 302. The wet granular mixture 324 containing particles of the desired size can be dried in the dryer 304 to obtain a dry granular mixture 310 containing fertilizer particles. In some aspects, the mixer / reactor 312 can include a ribbon mixer.

[0106] The feed mixture composition 318 may include i) a Ca source, such as calcium oxide and / or calcium carbonate, ii) a Mg source, such as magnesium oxide and / or magnesium carbonate, iii) a N source, such as NH4 + In some cases, the mixture composition provides more than one Ca, Mg, N, P, K and / or S substances. In some cases, one or more than one component can be added as an aqueous solution. In some cases, the mixture composition is provided in powder form. In some cases, one or more than one component can be added as a gas. In some cases, NH3 is provided at a pressure higher than 1 bar, for example, at a pressure of or between or in any range of: 1.2 bar, 1.3 bar, 1.4 bar, 1.5 bar, 2 bar, 2.5 bar, 3 bar, 3.5 bar, 4 bar, 4.5 bar, 5 bar, 5.5. bar, 6 bar, 6.5 bar, 7 bar, 7.5 bar, 8 bar, 9 bar, 10 bar, 15 bar, 20 bar, 25 bar, 30 bar, 35 bar and 40 bar. In some cases, a part of the mixture composition is provided in powder form.

[0107] Feed mixture 206 , 306 may contain Ca, Mg, N, P, K, and / or S. In some aspects, feed mixture 206 , 306 may include i) metal oxides and / or metal carbonates, ii) phosphoric acid, iii) ammonium hydroxide, and / or iv) potassium hydroxide.

[0108] Water may be added to the feed mixture in the mixer / reactor 312 and / or granulator 202, granulator 302. In certain aspects, a total amount of 5 g to 20 g, or at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following, may be added per 100 g of the feed mixture (e.g., added together with one or more of the feed mixture components and / or added separately): 5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g, 9 g, 10 g, 11 g, 12 g, 13 g, 14 g, 15 g, 16 g, 17 g, 18 g, 19 g, and 20 g.

[0109] In some aspects, granulator 202 and granulator 302 can be drum granulator, paddle granulator, disc granulator, solid mixer, wear-resistant drum, extruder, high shear mixing granulator, roller granulator, Mycromix or round bottom flask. In granulator 202 and granulator 302, feed mixture 206 and feed mixture 306 can be granulated by agglomeration, spray granulation, compaction, slurry granulation and / or high shear mixing granulation. In some specific aspects, feed mixture 206 and feed mixture 306 can be granulated by compaction in granulator 202 and granulator 302. In some aspects, granulator 202 and granulator 302 can include at least two rollers, and compaction granulation can include using at least two rollers to compress the feed mixture. In some aspects, in the compaction process, two rollers can move in a countercurrent direction. In some aspects, the feed mixture can be compressed into a shaped granule, such as a cylindrical granule, by at least two rollers. In some aspects, the surface of one roller can have a desired hole to compress the feed mixture into the hole, and the surface of another roller can push the feed mixture into the hole. The pressure during granulation, such as the pressure during compaction granulation, can be 1 bar to 40 bar, or at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 1 bar, 2 bar, 3 bar, 4 bar, 5 bar, 10 bar, 15 bar, 20 bar, 25 bar, 30 bar, 35 bar and 40 bar. In some aspects, the feed mixture can be granulated in granulator 202, granulator 302 at ambient temperature to 50 ° C, or at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following temperatures: -20 ° C, -15 ° C, -10 ° C, 0 ° C, 5 ° C, 10 ° C, 15 ° C, 20 ° C, 25 ° C, 30 ° C, 35 ° C, 40 ° C, 45 ° C and 50 ° C.

[0110] In some aspects, the reaction of the feed mixture components, mixing, and granulation of the feed mixture can be performed in different containers, for example, the mixer / reactor 312 and the granulator 302 can be different containers. In some aspects, the reaction of the feed mixture components, mixing, and granulation of the feed mixture can be performed in the same container, for example, the mixer / reactor 312 and the granulator 302 can be the same container (not shown).

[0111] In some aspects, calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4), magnesium hydrogen phosphate (MgHPO4), CaNH4PO4, MgNH4PO4 and / or K3PO4 are formed at a temperature of at least, at most, equal to, or between any two of 20°C, 21°C, 22°C, 23°C, 24°C, 25°C, 26°C, 27°C, 28°C, 29°C, 30°C, 31°C, 32°C, 33°C, 34°C, 35°C, 36°C, 37°C, 38°C, 39°C, 40°C, 41°C, 42°C, 43°C, 44°C, 45°C, 46°C, 47°C, 48°C, 49°C, 50°C, 51°C, 52°C, 53°C, 54°C, 55°C, 56°C, 57°C, 58°C, 59°C, 60°C, 61°C, 62°C, 63°C, 64°C, 65°C, 66°C, 67°C, 68°C, 69°C, 70°C, 71°C, 72°C, 73°C, 74°C ℃, 52℃, 53℃, 54℃, 55℃, 56℃, 57℃, 58℃, 59℃, 60℃, 61℃, 62℃, 63℃, 64℃, 65℃, 66℃, 67℃, 68℃, 69℃, 70℃, 71℃, 72℃, 73℃, 74℃, 75℃, 76℃, 77℃, 78℃, 79℃, 80℃, 81℃, 82℃, 83℃, 84℃, 85℃, 86℃, 87℃, 88℃, 89℃, 90℃, 91℃, 92℃, 93℃, 94℃, 95℃, 96℃, 97℃, 98℃, 99℃, such as 20℃ to 75℃, or 30℃ to 75℃, or 55℃ to 75℃.

[0112] In some cases, the fertilizer can be extruded before drying. The extruder can extrude the fertilizer at a pressure of at least, at most, equal to, or between any two of: 1 bar, 2 bar, 3 bar, 4 bar, 5 bar, 6 bar, 7 bar, 8 bar, 9 bar, 10 bar, 11 bar, 12 bar, 13 bar, 14 bar, 15 bar, 16 bar, 17 bar, 18 bar, 19 bar, 20 bar, 21 bar, 22 bar, 23 bar, 24 bar, 25 bar, 26 bar, 27 bar, 28 bar, 29 bar, 30 bar, 31 bar, 32 bar, 33 bar, 34 bar, 35 bar, 36 bar, 37 bar, 38 bar, 39 bar, and 40 bar. The extruder can extrude the fertilizer at a temperature of at least, at most, equal to, or between any two of -20° C., -15° C., -10° C., 0° C., 5° C., 10° C., 15° C., 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., and 50° C. The extrudate can be sliced ​​or divided before drying, for example, by a die.

[0113] In some aspects, the desired particle size of the final fertilizer product, such as granules, can be 0.5 mm to 5 mm, or 1 mm to 4 mm, and have a particle size of less than 0.5 mm or less than 1 mm, and / or a particle size greater than 4 mm or greater than 5 mm that can be separated from the wet granular mixture 322 using one or more sizing screens 316. In some aspects, the wet granular mixture can be spheronized and / or spheronized in a spheronizer. In some cases, the granular mixture is contacted with the spheronizer for at least any of the following, at most any of the following, equal to any of the following, or between any two of the following: 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, 35 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds, or 60 seconds. In some cases, the pelletizer has a rotating or rotatable disk that can rotate at a speed of at least 200 rpm, 500 rpm, 1000 rpm, 1500 rpm, 2000 rpm, 2500 rpm, 3000 rpm, 3500 rpm, 4000 rpm, 4500 rpm, 5000 rpm. In some aspects, the wet granule mixture can be dried in the dryer 204, the dryer 304 at a temperature of 40° C. to 85° C., or at least 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., and 85° C. In some aspects, the dryer 204, the dryer 304 can be a fluidized bed dryer, a drum dryer, or an airflow dryer. In some aspects, the wet particle mixture can be dried in dryer 204, dryer 304 with a hot air stream having a flow rate of at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 100 m / s; 3 / h、150m 3 / h、200m 3 / h、250m 3 / h、300m 3 / h、350m 3 / h、400m 3 / h、450m 3 / h and 500m 3 / h, and / or a rotation of at least any one of the following, at most any one of the following, equal to any one of the following, or between any two of the following: 5rpm, 10rpm, 15rpm, 20rpm, 25rpm, 30rpm, 35rpm, 40rpm, 45rpm and 50rpm.

[0114] III. How to use fertilizer

[0115] Fertilizers of the present disclosure include fertilizer particles, compositions containing fertilizers, and blended fertilizers containing fertilizers, which can be used to increase the amount of one or more than one plant nutrient in the soil and enhance the method for plant growth. This method can include applying an effective amount of a composition and / or blend containing the fertilizer of the present invention to the soil. The method can include increasing the growth and yield of crops, trees, ornamental plants, etc. such as palm, coconut, rice, wheat, corn, barley, oats, and / or soybeans. The method can include applying the fertilizer blend of the present invention to at least one of soil, organisms, liquid carriers, liquid solvents, etc. The composition containing fertilizers and / or fertilizer blends can be applied to plants and / or soil as topdressing, base fertilizer, and / or by any suitable application method.

[0116] Non-limiting examples of plants that can benefit from the fertilizer of the present invention include lianas, trees, shrubs, straw plants, ferns, etc. Plants can include orchard crops, lianas, ornamental plants, food crops, trees, and harvested plants. Plants can include gymnosperms, angiosperms, and / or ferns.

[0117] The effectiveness of a composition comprising the fertilizer of the present invention can be determined by measuring the amount of phosphorus and optionally other nutrients in the soil at different times after the fertilizer composition is applied to the soil. It should be understood that different soils have different properties that affect the stability of nutrients in the soil. The effectiveness of the fertilizer composition can also be directly compared with other fertilizer compositions by side-by-side comparisons in the same soil under the same conditions.

[0118] Example

[0119] The present invention will be described in more detail by specific examples. The following examples are provided only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art will easily recognize various non-critical parameters that can be changed or modified to produce substantially the same results.

[0120] Example 1

[0121] Preparation of slow-release fertilizer composition and quick-release fertilizer composition

[0122] Stoichiometric amounts of CaO and H3PO4 can react at 65°C according to reaction (1) to produce CaHPO4:

[0123] (1)CaO+H3PO4→CaHPO4+H2O

[0124] Stoichiometric amounts of NH4OH and / or NH3 can react with the intermediate CaHPO4 to produce CaNH4PO4 according to reaction (2):

[0125] (2)CaHPO4+NH4OH→CaNH4PO4

[0126] Stoichiometric amounts of KOH and H3PO4 can react at 65°C to produce K3PO4 according to reaction (3):

[0127] (3) 3KOH+H3PO4→K3PO4+3H2O

[0128] CaSO4 selected from any source can be mixed with the product of reaction (3) in a ratio of 3:1 to produce a mixture of CaSO4 and K3PO4. The mixture of CaSO4 and K3PO4 can be mixed with the product of reaction (1) or the product of reaction (2) in a ratio of 1:2. The mixture can be slowly dried at 40°C, and the dried material can then be granulated to a particle size of 3 mm×4 mm.

[0129] Stoichiometric amounts of MgO and H3PO4 can react at 65°C according to reaction (4) to produce MgHPO4:

[0130] (4)MgO+H3PO4→MgHPO4+H2O

[0131] Stoichiometric amounts of NH4OH and / or NH3 can react with the intermediate MgHPO4 to produce MgNH4PO4 according to reaction (5):

[0132] (5)MgHPO4+NH4OH→MgNH4PO4

[0133] The mixture of CaSO4 and K3PO4 can be mixed with the product of reaction (4) or the product of reaction (5) in a ratio of 1: 2. The mixture can be slowly dried at 40°C, and the dried material can then be granulated to a particle size of 3 mm x 4 mm.

[0134] Fertilizers containing both calcium ammonium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate can also be prepared by combining the above steps. The ratio of calcium sulfate and K3PO4 to total CaNH4PO4+MgNH4PO4 can be 1:2, or can be 1K3PO4:2CaNH4PO4 and 1K3PO4:2MgNH4PO4.

[0135] In light of the present disclosure, all methods disclosed and claimed herein can be performed and implemented without undue experimentation. Although the compositions and methods of the present invention have been described in accordance with preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be implemented in the methods and in the steps or order of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the present invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that specific reagents that are both chemically and physiologically relevant can replace the reagents described herein while achieving the same or similar results. All such similar substitutions and changes apparent to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fertilizer composition comprising: A sustained-release agent, the sustained-release agent comprising calcium ammonium phosphate (CaNH4PO4), magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4), or a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4; A rapid-release agent, comprising calcium sulfate (CaSO4), potassium phosphate (K3PO4) and / or magnesium sulfate (MgSO4).

2. The fertilizer composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises other slow-release agents, the other slow-release agents comprising magnesium oxide (MgO), calcium oxide (CaO), zinc oxide (ZnO), nickel oxide (NiO), magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), iron (II) carbonate (FeCO3) or a combination thereof.

3. The fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the quick-release agent further comprises nickel sulfate (NiSO4), zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), iron (II) sulfate (FeSO4) or a combination thereof.

4. The fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the quick-release agent comprises CaSO4, and the CaSO4 is contained in waste gypsum and / or recycled gypsum.

5. The fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fertilizer does not contain a binder other than CaNH4PO4, MgNH4PO4 or a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4.

6. The fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fertilizer composition is a granular fertilizer and / or the fertilizer is homogenous.

7. The fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising iron (II) phosphate (FePO4), KOH, K2CO3, KHCO3 and / or dolomite.

8. The fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the weight ratio of the fast-release agent to the slow-release agent is about 3:1 to about 1:

5.

9. The fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fast-release agent comprises K3PO4, preferably CaSO4 and K3PO4, preferably wherein the weight ratio of CaSO4 to K3PO4 is about 3:1 to about 1:

3.

10. The fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the slow release agent comprises a combination of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4.

11. The fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fertilizer composition comprises a nitrogen source, a phosphorus source and a potassium source.

12. A method for preparing a fertilizer composition, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting CaO, MgO, MgCO3, CaCO3 and / or dolomite with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to produce a first reaction product comprising calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4) and / or magnesium hydrogen phosphate (MgHPO4); (b) contacting the first reaction product with an ammonia source to produce a second reaction product comprising CaNH4PO4 and / or MgNH4PO4; (c) contacting potassium hydroxide (KOH) with H3PO4 to produce a third reaction product comprising K3PO4; and (d) combining the second reaction product, the third reaction product and CaSO4 to produce the fertilizer composition, preferably wherein the CaSO4 is red gypsum, phosphogypsum and / or waste gypsum from H3PO4 production, and preferably wherein the fertilizer composition comprises CaSO4, K3PO4 and one or two of CaNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising drying the fertilizer composition to form a solid fertilizer composition.

14. The method of any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the combining step (d) comprises combining the third reaction product with CaSO4 in a weight ratio of about 3:1 to about 1:3, and / or comprises combining the third reaction product and CaSO4 with the second reaction product in a weight ratio of a combination of third reaction product and CaSO4:second reaction product of about 3:1 to about 1:

5.

15. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein steps (a), (b) and / or (c) occur at 55°C to 75°C.

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