Crop nutritional composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a crop nutritional composition in the form of a water dispersible granule or aqueous suspension comprising: (i) one or more water insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives thereof; (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives thereof; (iii) one or more surfactants; wherein the content of the element magnesium in the composition is 1-50% of the total weight of the composition; wherein the content of the element potassium in the composition is 1-50% of the total weight of the composition; wherein the content of the surfactant is 0.1%-40% of the total weight of the composition; wherein the composition comprises particles having a size of 0.1 to 30 [mu] m. The invention also relates to a method for treating a plant and satisfying the nutritional requirements of the plant by allowing the plant to obtain the essential nutrient elements magnesium and potassium.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension, comprising:

[0002] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives;

[0003] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives;

[0004] (iii) one or more surfactants;

[0005] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0006] wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition. The composition of the present invention comprises microparticles with a size of 0.1 to 30 microns. According to a further embodiment, the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a method for improving plant health or enhancing plant nutrient uptake or increasing plant yield; the method comprises treating at least one of a plant, plant propagation material, its site or plant part, seed, seedling or the surrounding soil with the crop nutrient composition of the present invention.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a method for treating plants and meeting their nutrient requirements, which enables plants to absorb essential nutrients such as magnesium and potassium, and release other trace elements and micronutrients in the soil that were previously unavailable due to various factors (mainly nutrient antagonism caused by soil degradation or overuse of synthetic fertilizers). Background of the Invention

[0010] When describing the embodiments of the present invention, specific terms are selected for clarity. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific terms selected, and it should be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to achieve a similar purpose.

[0011] Nutrition is a key factor in crop growth, reproduction and development. Nutrition plays an important role in balancing crop nutrition. Insufficient plant nutrition supply can lead to poor growth and development, making plants more vulnerable to pests. Other agricultural-related problems, such as environmental conditions, for example drought, biotic and abiotic stresses, soil infertility or soil nutrient depletion, can also cause a decline in the yield and quality of agricultural products.

[0012] As is well known, the normal functions and growth of plants require optimal nutrient levels. Any change in nutrient levels can lead to overall growth inhibition of crops and a decline in their health due to nutrient deficiency or toxicity, which in turn affects the essential nutrients required for the human diet. In addition, insufficient plant nutrient supply can also lead to poor growth, making plants more vulnerable to pests.

[0013] Furthermore, the interactions between different types of plant nutrients can be antagonistic or synergistic, depending on the element / nutrient mixture, its composition, concentration, etc., which may affect the nutrient utilization efficiency. Sufficient nutrient supply and the optimal combination of various nutrients can promote the overall growth of crops. If excessive nutrients are applied, plants may exhibit "nutrient antagonism", i.e., the excessive absorption of one element can hinder the absorption of another required element by the plant, resulting in a deficiency of plant nutrients.

[0014] Therefore, it remains a huge challenge to provide sufficient and balanced nutrition in a way that maximizes nutrient uptake by plants while protecting the crops.

[0015] In addition, optimizing soil conditions and managing the use of crop nutrients have long been the needs of farmers to improve crop nutrient utilization efficiency. A great deal of research is being conducted to improve soil and plant health, provide better economic returns for farmers, and reduce the burden on the environment caused by the overuse of synthetic pesticides.

[0016] Potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) are among the nutrients essential for balanced plant nutrition and regulating biochemical functions. Potassium is one of the essential macronutrients with the highest demand in plants and plays a crucial role in the growth and development of plants. It is an indispensable component for normal plant development and is vital for enzyme activation, protein synthesis, photosynthesis, osmotic regulation, stomatal movement, energy transfer, phloem transport, cation-anion balance, and stress resistance. Magnesium (Mg) is a macronutrient essential for plant growth, health, and development. Magnesium is involved in multiple processes, including photosynthesis. The most important role of magnesium is as the central atom or core of the chlorophyll molecule. Without magnesium, chlorophyll cannot capture the solar energy required for photosynthesis. Magnesium also helps activate specific enzyme systems involved in normal plant metabolism. In addition, it is also essential for cell division and protein formation and is an important part of plant respiration.

[0017] The availability of magnesium and potassium in soil depends on multiple factors. These include the rock composition of the soil, its mobility within the soil, degree of weathering, local climate, and specific agricultural systems and their management practices, such as crop type, planting intensity, crop rotation, and fertilization measures. Although the benefits of potassium and magnesium are well-known, potassium and magnesium deficiencies have been prevalent in most agricultural regions globally over the past few decades, making these nutrients limiting factors for enhancing plant growth, yield, and fertilizer use efficiency.

[0018] Table A discusses the effects of magnesium and potassium deficiencies on plants.

[0019] Table A: Effects of Magnesium and Potassium Deficiencies on Plants

[0020]

[0021] Therefore, proper nutrition is crucial for optimizing plant nutrition and metabolism, which in turn helps to increase the overall crop yield, quality, and a nutrient-rich diet for humans.

[0022] To meet the nutritional requirements of plants, high doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers are commonly used. For example, potassium chloride, i.e., muriate of potash (MOP), has been the main source of potassium in these traditional NPK fertilizers. However, excessive and abusive use of potassium chloride can lead to the accumulation of chloride ions in the soil, further causing soil salinization and damage to plants and other soil microorganisms. Chlorine affects plants mainly by increasing the osmotic potential of soil water. In other words, chlorinated salts increase soil salinization, thereby interfering with the plant's ability to absorb water.

[0023] In addition, with the increasing application rate of ammonium sulfate, the magnesium deficiency in plants has become increasingly severe. The direct adverse effect of ammonium sulfate on plant magnesium supply is thought to be due to the competitive effect of NH4+ and H+ ions on magnesium uptake. Soon after the absorption of NH4+ ions, a large amount of H+ ions are generated in the root tissue (Nitrogen-Magnesium Relationships in Crop Plants by E.G. Mulder*, Agricultural Experiment Station and Institute for Soil Research T.N.O., Groningen, The Netherlands).

[0024] As is well-known, magnesium is usually applied to the soil in the form of water-soluble salts, such as magnesium sulfate, which is the main source of magnesium in traditional nutrient fertilizers. Farmers usually apply high doses of magnesium fertilizers. However, magnesium fertilizers are prone to leaching during the rainy season, resulting in a lower content of magnesium available for plants in the soil. In addition, the application of high doses of water-soluble magnesium sulfate significantly increases soil salinity, causing damage to plants and other soil microorganisms.

[0025] Since magnesium and potassium are directly or indirectly involved in numerous physiological processes of plant growth and development, it is crucial to develop a fertilizer that can simultaneously and adequately supply these nutrients. Excessive amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium in the soil can further lead to nutrient imbalance, resulting in a lack of essential nutrients in the final product.

[0026] Due to the extensive application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers, potassium accumulates in the soil, thereby antagonizing the absorption of other nutrients such as magnesium and calcium, that is, inhibiting the plant's absorption of magnesium or calcium and causing the plant to lack these nutrients.

[0027] It is well-known that unilateral excessive supply of potassium inhibits the absorption of magnesium, resulting in potassium-magnesium antagonism. There is antagonism / competition between potassium and magnesium, as reported (K.L. Kabu et.al, Influence of potassium-magnesium antagonism on tomato Plant growth, Can. J. Plant Sci. 50:711-715 (Nov. 1970)). Soils treated with high-potassium fertilizers reduce the plant's absorption of magnesium and may cause magnesium deficiency in crops growing in soils with inherently low magnesium content. Conversely, crops growing in soils with high magnesium content may exhibit potassium deficiency, especially in soils with high phosphorus and low potassium content.

[0028] Therefore, given the antagonism between magnesium and potassium, developing an agricultural composition has always been a challenge. Such a composition should not only overcome this problem and increase the absorption of magnesium but also maintain the soil pH value and successfully meet the plant's nutritional requirements for potassium and magnesium, ultimately affecting human nutrition.

[0029] Traditionally, the forms of micronutrient compositions known in the art include bentonite granulates or tablets, pills / granules, granules prepared by the melting method, etc. These micronutrient composition products in the form of granulates, pills, or tablets contain swelling clay and have some drawbacks. These compositions are generally large in size and contain swelling clay, which swells when exposed to water and decomposes into large microparticles of uneven size. Such granulates or tablets also result in irregular release of micronutrients, unable to meet the plant's nutritional requirements, and ultimately leading to poor field efficacy.

[0030] In addition, patent application number US20170283334A1 discloses a micronutrient composition that comprises a combination of water-insoluble and water-soluble micronutrients in a hydrated polyelectrolyte solution. The polyelectrolytes in this composition undergo physical crosslinking to form a viscous, gel-like matrix in which the solid micronutrients are dispersed. Such compositions are intended to achieve rapid and sustained release of active ingredients with the aid of polyelectrolytes and metal complexing agents. However, these high-concentration formulations are difficult to dilute in water, cannot form stable dispersions, and tend to form hard cakes, and are thus not suitable for practical applications. Such viscous, large-particle-size and difficult-to-pour formulations are prone to clogging nozzles, thereby affecting the delivery of nutrients to plants or crops.

[0031] Commercially available powdered compositions are known in the art, which either use water-soluble nutrient sources or contain ores that contain both potassium and magnesium. However, it has been observed that such compositions are easily washed away and cannot be absorbed by plants, leading to groundwater pollution during heavy rain or irrigation. As the soil salinity increases, plants are unable to absorb sufficient water and nutrients from the soil. This not only results in a significant decrease in efficiency but also causes serious environmental consequences. In addition, powder compositions not only have problems in practical applications, such as generating dust, but also pose risks to users, mainly including eye irritation, inhalation, and skin irritation. Such formulations are not easily dispersed and are prone to clogging nozzles during drip irrigation application, and are thus not suitable for irrigation systems. Moreover, these compositions have poor suspension properties, resulting in random and uneven distribution of active ingredients in the target area, thereby having adverse effects and affecting the effective delivery of nutrients to plants or crops, leading to poor absorption of nutrients by plants. Due to these problems, these compositions also require large amounts of use.

[0032] Also disclosed is a magnesium-potassium fertilizer combination formulated as a decomposable or disintegratable granule composition for soil application, which disintegrates or fragments when immersed in water or in contact with soil moisture. Such granules are hard-textured, avoiding drawbacks such as dust generation during application, and do not fragment or lose their resistance during storage, transportation, handling, and application. For example, WO2021250221 describes a potassium-magnesium granular fertilizer with good abrasion resistance, which is made by a granulation process of compaction or increasing the size based on wet rolling granulation. The combination described herein is hard-textured and, when applied to the soil, disintegrates or breaks into larger particles in the presence of water, thereby releasing the active ingredients in a slow-release manner. Therefore, the release of the active ingredients is very slow, causing them to remain in the soil for a long time and unable to provide the nutrients required for rapid plant uptake, resulting in the plants being unable to meet their immediate nutritional needs. Due to nutrient deficiencies during the seedling stage of plants, they are vulnerable to various diseases, ultimately leading to stunted growth and reduced yields. Such water-disintegratable granule compositions have a series of inherent defects due to uneven granule disintegration and distribution. Since the granule sizes after disintegration are random, large, and uneven, these compositions are prone to clogging the nozzles during drip irrigation application and are therefore not suitable for modern irrigation systems such as drip irrigation.

[0033] We need to develop a composition containing magnesium and potassium that enables plants to rapidly and effectively absorb these nutrients, thereby meeting the balanced nutritional requirements of plants and overcoming the defects of existing known compositions. In addition, we also need an agricultural product that can provide high field efficacy while reducing the application dose.

[0034] The inventors have unexpectedly found that the composition of the present invention contains a water-insoluble magnesium salt and a water-soluble potassium salt and exists in the form of a water-dispersible granule (WDG) or an aqueous suspension (SC) with a specific particle size, which can not only effectively overcome the antagonism between these nutrients but also exhibit a synergistic effect.

[0035] It is further pointed out that when the composition contains a water-soluble potassium salt or derivative and a water-insoluble magnesium salt or derivative and is formulated as a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension, enhanced effects are observed in terms of crop yield, nutrient uptake, and growth characteristics. In this state, the composition is easily dispersed into fine particles with a size of 0.1 - 30 microns in water or in the presence of soil moisture, enabling the nutrients to be immediately absorbed by the plant rhizosphere.

[0036] It is further observed that the composition of the present invention can prevent the leaching of these nutrients and maximize their absorption by crops, thereby increasing the total yield.

[0037] We also observed that when the composition of the present invention is prepared into particulate sizes of 0.1 to 30 microns, it further improves the absorption and utilization rate of nutrients such as magnesium and potassium by plants. In addition, it was also found that the composition of the present invention plays a crucial role in regulating the soil pH value and promotes the absorption of other nutrients by plants. These nutrients are retained in the soil by plants due to various factors (mainly the nutrient antagonism caused by soil degradation or excessive use of synthetic fertilizers).

[0038] The inventors also unexpectedly noticed that the composition of the present invention also solves the problem of magnesium deficiency caused by the excessive potassium content in the soil due to the long-term application of NPK fertilizers, enabling magnesium to be rapidly absorbed by plants.

[0039] The composition of the present invention is a highly efficient nutrient utilization composition, which can improve the absorption rate of crops after a single application by providing a multi-nutrient solution, thus meeting the needs of crops.

[0040] The inventors of the present application have determined that the crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension contains one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives, one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives, and one or more surfactants; wherein, the composition contains particulate matter with a size of 0.1 micron to 30 microns. Compared with the single application of the active ingredient or commercially available products, it exhibits excellent field efficacy even when applied at a lower application dose. Summary of the Invention

[0041] The present invention relates to a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension, which comprises:

[0042] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives;

[0043] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives;

[0044] (iii) one or more surfactants;

[0045] wherein, the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition,

[0046] wherein, the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition,

[0047] wherein, the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition,

[0048] wherein, the composition has particulate matter with a size of 0.1 micron to 30 microns.

[0049] The crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension of the present invention enables plants to rapidly absorb nutrient elements such as magnesium and potassium, thereby increasing the yields of various crops and improving the physiological parameters of plants. In addition, surprisingly, the composition of the present invention can achieve balanced absorption of all nutrient elements including potassium and magnesium, thus overcoming the challenge of providing nutrient-rich crops. Moreover, the composition of the present invention also solves the problem of magnesium deficiency caused by the excessive potassium content in the soil due to the long-term application of compound fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

[0050] The crop nutrient composition of the present invention is a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension, and comprises:

[0051] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives;

[0052] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives;

[0053] (iii) one or more surfactants;

[0054] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition;

[0055] wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition;

[0056] wherein the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition;

[0057] wherein the size of the composition is fine particles of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

[0058] In addition, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension, and the composition comprises:

[0059] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives;

[0060] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives;

[0061] (iii) one or more surfactants;

[0062] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition accounts for 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0063] wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition accounts for 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0064] wherein the surfactant accounts for 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition; and

[0065] wherein the composition comprises fine particles of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

[0066] The present invention also relates to a method of treating plants and meeting their nutritional requirements by enabling the plants to obtain essential nutrients such as magnesium and potassium.

[0067] The present invention relates to a method of improving plant health or enhancing plant nutrient uptake or increasing plant yield; the method comprises treating at least one of plants, plant propagation materials, their sites or plant parts, seeds, seedlings or the surrounding soil with the crop nutrient composition of the present invention.

[0068] It has also been found that the composition of the present invention plays a crucial role in regulating soil pH and promoting the uptake of other nutrients by plants, which are retained in the soil by plants due to various factors (mainly soil degradation caused by overuse of synthetic fertilizers).

[0069] More surprisingly, the use of this composition enables a more balanced uptake of all nutrients, thereby making the plants healthier, having higher nutrient yields in various types of soil, and improving soil health. The composition of the present invention is a composition with high nutrient use efficiency, and at the same time meets the needs of crops by providing a multi-nutrient solution and increasing the absorption rate of crops.

[0070] The excellent effect of this composition stems from its elemental combination, namely the combination of water-soluble potassium salts and water-insoluble magnesium salts, formulated in the form of WDG and SC, with a particle size of 0.1 - 30 microns.

[0071] The present invention also relates to a method of biofortifying plants with essential micronutrients. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0073] To understand the present invention more comprehensively, please refer to the embodiments described in more detail in the drawings and through the examples of the present invention.

[0074] Figure 1 An image of a water-disintegrating granule composition according to the teachings of WO2021250221. This image depicts the hardness of these granules.

[0075] Figure 2 An image of a water-dispersible granule composition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] Figure 3aShows an image of a prior art water-disintegrating granule (in water) after the first application (30 seconds), which reflects the sedimentation behavior of the composition due to disadvantages such as poor dispersibility and suspension in water. It was observed that due to its physical properties, the water-disintegrating granule tended to disintegrate into larger particles and settle or precipitate at the bottom of the cylinder, leaving a large amount of residue, resulting in uneven suspension, which led to uneven distribution or coverage of the active ingredient on the crop, resulting in poor absorption of nutrients by the crop, thus affecting the crop quality.

[0077] Figure 3b Shows an image of a water-dispersible granule of an embodiment of the present invention (in water) after the first application (30 seconds). After contacting with the water medium, these water-dispersible granules will immediately disperse and release substances, and remain uniformly dispersed and suspended in the water medium for a long time, making the active ingredient easily absorbed by plants.

[0078] Figure 4a Shows an image of a prior art water-disintegrating granule (in water) 60 minutes after application (without stirring). Even after 60 minutes, the hard granules in the prior art still precipitate or settle at the bottom of the cylinder.

[0079] Figure 4b Shows an image of a water-dispersible granule of an embodiment of the present invention (in water) 60 minutes after application (without stirring). The composition can be easily and uniformly suspended, preventing the active ingredient from settling at the bottom of the cylinder for a long time, thus ensuring the uniform distribution of the active ingredient on the crop, thereby improving the absorption of nutrients and the quality of the crop, and is suitable for drip irrigation. Description of the Invention

[0081] In describing the embodiments of the present invention, for the sake of clarity, specific terms have been selected. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific terms selected, and it should be understood that these specific terms cover all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to achieve similar purposes. It should be understood that any numerical range described herein covers all included sub-ranges. In addition, unless otherwise stated, the percentages of the components in the composition are expressed as weight percentages or based on the total weight of the composition.

[0082] The grouping of alternative elements or embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein should not be considered limiting. Each member of the group can be mentioned and claimed individually, or combined with other members of the group or other elements found herein in any combination. For reasons of convenience and / or patentability, one or more members of the group can be incorporated or deleted.

[0083] The terms "comprising", "including", "having", "containing", "involving", etc. used herein shall be construed as open-ended, i.e., including but not limited to. The terms "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the present invention that may bring specific benefits under specific circumstances.

[0084] In any aspect or embodiment described below, the term "comprising" may be replaced by "consisting of", "consisting essentially of", or "substantially consisting of", etc. In these aspects or embodiments, the composition contains, includes, consists of, consists essentially of, or substantially consists of the specific components described herein, excluding other ingredients or excipients not expressly listed herein.

[0085] In some embodiments, numbers representing the quantity, properties (such as concentration), etc. of components used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the present invention should be understood as being modified by the term "about" in certain cases. Therefore, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters listed in the written description are approximate values, which may vary according to the properties desired to be obtained in a specific embodiment. In some embodiments, the interpretation of numerical parameters should take into account the number of significant digits reported and apply conventional rounding techniques. Although the numerical ranges and parameters that set forth the broad scope of certain embodiments of the present invention are approximate values, the values listed in the specific embodiments should be reported as precisely as possible.

[0086] References to "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the phrases "in an embodiment" or "in embodiments" that appear throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0087] The recitation of numerical ranges herein is merely intended as a shorthand method of referring separately to each individual value within the range. Unless otherwise stated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0088] Unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradicted by the context, all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein for certain embodiments is merely intended to better illustrate the present invention and does not limit the scope of the present invention as otherwise claimed. No language in this specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element essential to the practice of the present invention.

[0089] In this specification and the appended claims, the meanings of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, in this specification, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0090] Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) refers to the degree to which plants utilize the mineral nutrients applied. Improving NUE is a necessary prerequisite for expanding crop production to marginal lands with low nutrient use efficiency and is also a way to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers.

[0091] The terms "plant" or "crop" used in this invention are used interchangeably, and wherever the term "plant" is used, it also refers to vegetation of a similar nature, i.e., crops, trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, etc. The term "plant" refers to all physical parts of a plant, including seeds, seedlings, saplings, roots, tubers, stems, stalks, leaves, and fruits. The term "plant" includes transgenic plants and non-transgenic plants.

[0092] The term "plant site" herein is intended to include the location where a plant grows, the location where plant propagation material is sown, or the position where plant propagation material will be placed in the soil.

[0093] The term "plant propagation material" shall be understood to mean the reproductive parts of a plant, such as seeds, vegetative material (e.g., cuttings or tubers), roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, and parts of a plant, germinated plants, and seedlings that will be transplanted after germination or emergence. These seedlings can be protected by treatment with immersion in whole or in part before transplantation.

[0094] The particle size of the composition is defined as the size of the particles of the composition (comprising potassium salts, magnesium salts, and one or more excipients) in the form of water-dispersible granules (WG) or aqueous suspension concentrates (SC).

[0095] D50 is the particle size corresponding to when the cumulative percentage reaches 50%. D50 is also known as the median particle diameter or median particle size, indicating that on average 50% of the total particles are smaller than the determined size.

[0096] D90 is used to indicate the particle size distribution, indicating that on average 90% of the total particles are smaller than the determined size. D90 is also the particle size corresponding to when the cumulative percentage reaches 90%.

[0097] A water-dispersible granule refers to a preparation that is easily dispersed or dissolved in water to form a fine particle suspension. The "WG" or "WDG" mentioned in this article refers to water-dispersible granules. Water-dispersible granules are small, easily measurable granules (aggregates of fine particles) formed by mixing ground solid active ingredients with surfactants and other formulation ingredients, and these ingredients will disperse into finer / primary fine particles when immersed in water. Water-dispersible granules are obtained by spray drying or extrusion processes.

[0098] The "aqueous suspension" defined in this article refers to a composition in which solid particles are dispersed or suspended in water. Terms such as "suspension concentrate" or "aqueous suspension" or "aqueous dispersion" or "SC composition" are used interchangeably.

[0099] "Immediate release" or "instant release" or "instantaneous dispersion" are used interchangeably and apply to granules that rapidly disperse to release nutrients.

[0100] The "water-disintegrating granule" or "water-decomposing granule" mentioned in this article refers to a granule composition composed of aggregated granules or fine particles, and these aggregated granules or fine particles usually form a hard and not easily broken or fragmented structure. These granules will disintegrate or break into individual fine particles after contacting sufficient water or soil moisture, and release the active ingredient over a long period of time.

[0101] In addition, the active doses of potassium and magnesium in the compositions applied in field trials are expressed in the form of elemental potassium and elemental magnesium.

[0102] The term "derivative" used in the present invention also covers minerals or ores containing potassium, magnesium, etc.

[0103] The term "salt" used in the present invention also covers compounds containing potassium and magnesium. Compounds of potassium include potassium hydroxide, and compounds of magnesium include magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide.

[0104] A mixture is defined as a combination of two or more substances that do not undergo a chemical reaction. A homogeneous mixture is defined as a mixture with a uniform overall composition. The overall composition of the mixture is constant or the constituent components are evenly distributed.

[0105] The present invention relates to a crop nutrient composition, which comprises a combination of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives, one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives, and at least one excipient. The composition is in the form of water-dispersible granules and aqueous suspensions. According to one embodiment, the agrochemical excipient is a surfactant.

[0106] The crop nutrient composition is in the form of a homogeneous mixture of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives, one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives, and at least one surfactant.

[0107] According to another embodiment, the crop nutrient composition comprises fine particles with a particle size of 0.1 to 30 microns and exhibits improved physical properties in terms of dispersibility, suspension, viscosity, spontaneous dispersion, and pourability.

[0108] Due to the excellent physical properties, the composition of the present invention can also be directly used in micro-irrigation or drip irrigation systems.

[0109] The content of elemental magnesium in the composition accounts for 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and the content of elemental potassium accounts for 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition.

[0110] The present invention particularly relates to a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension, which comprises:

[0111] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives;

[0112] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives;

[0113] (iii) one or more surfactants;

[0114] wherein the content of elemental magnesium in the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0115] wherein the content of elemental potassium in the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0116] wherein the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0117] wherein the composition comprises particles with a size of 0.1 to 30 microns.

[0118] It is further noted that when the composition consists of a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative and a water-insoluble magnesium salt or its derivative and is formulated into a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension, enhanced effects in terms of crop yield, nutrient uptake, and growth characteristics are observed. In this state, the composition is easily dispersed into fine particles with a size of 0.1 - 30 microns in water or in the presence of soil moisture, enabling the plant rhizosphere to immediately absorb nutrients. Even at a lower application dose, the present composition exhibits excellent field efficacy.

[0119] In addition, it is further observed that the present composition can prevent the leaching of these nutrients and enable them to be maximally absorbed by the crops, thereby increasing the total yield.

[0120] The present composition has also been found to play a crucial role in regulating soil pH value and promoting the uptake of other nutrients by plants, which are retained in the soil by plants due to various factors, mainly soil degradation caused by overuse of synthetic fertilizers.

[0121] The inventors have also unexpectedly noticed that the present composition also solves the problem of magnesium deficiency caused by excessive potassium content in the soil due to long-term application of NPK fertilizers, enabling magnesium to be rapidly absorbed by crops.

[0122] The composition of the present invention further meets the nutritional requirements of plants by providing balanced uptake of essential nutrients such as potassium and magnesium. More surprisingly, the use of this composition can make plants healthier, able to resist pests and diseases, obtain higher nutrient yields in all soil types, and ultimately improve the overall health of the soil. The present composition is a composition with efficient nutrient utilization, which improves the absorption rate of crops in a single application by providing a multi-nutrient solution and meets the needs of crops.

[0123] The present invention is formulated in the form of water-dispersible granules (WDG or WG) or aqueous suspension (SC).

[0124] According to one embodiment, the composition comprises a water-insoluble magnesium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the elemental magnesium content ranges from 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment, the composition comprises a water-insoluble magnesium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the elemental magnesium content ranges from 1% to 45% of the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment, the composition comprises a water-insoluble magnesium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the elemental magnesium content ranges from 1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment, the composition comprises a water-insoluble magnesium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the content of elemental magnesium ranges from 2% to 50% of the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises a water-insoluble magnesium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the content of elemental magnesium ranges from 3% to 50% of the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises a water-insoluble magnesium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the content of elemental magnesium ranges from 4% to 50% of the total weight of the composition. According to a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises a water-insoluble magnesium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the content of elemental magnesium ranges from 5% to 50% of the total weight of the composition.

[0125] According to a further embodiment, the water-insoluble magnesium salt includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: magnesium molybdate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium magnesium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium humate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium calcium silicate, magnesium tartrate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium oxalate, magnesium fulvate, magnesium silicate, and magnesium oxide. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other water-insoluble magnesium salts can also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0126] According to a further embodiment, the water-insoluble magnesium derivatives in the composition include minerals or ores. These ores include water-insoluble ores containing magnesium, but are not limited to periclase, brucite, magnesite. The present invention encompasses water-insoluble magnesium ores selected from one or more of periclase, brucite, magnesite, and having a magnesium content of at least 10%. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other magnesium-containing minerals and ores can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0127] The crop nutrient composition contains 1%-85% w / w of a water-insoluble magnesium salt or its derivative based on the total composition. The crop nutrient composition contains 3%-85% w / w of a magnesium salt or its derivative based on the total composition. The crop nutrient composition preferably contains 5%-85% w / w of a water-insoluble magnesium salt or its derivative based on the total composition.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule contains 1%-85% w / w of a water-insoluble magnesium salt or its derivative based on the total composition. According to another embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule contains 3%-85% w / w of a water-insoluble magnesium salt or its derivative based on the total composition. According to another embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule preferably contains 5%-85% w / w of a water-insoluble magnesium salt or its derivative based on the total composition.

[0129] According to a preferred embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of an aqueous suspension contains 1%-65% w / w of a water-insoluble magnesium salt or its derivative based on the total composition. According to another preferred embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of an aqueous suspension contains 1%-60% w / w of a water-insoluble magnesium salt or its derivative based on the total composition.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative; wherein, the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention accounts for 1% to 50% of the total composition by weight. According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative; wherein, the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention accounts for 1% to 45% of the total composition by weight. According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative; wherein, the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention is 1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative; wherein, the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention is 2% to 50% of the total weight of the composition. According to a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative; wherein, the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention is 3% to 50% of the total weight of the composition.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention in the form of a water-dispersible granule comprises a water-soluble potassium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention in the form of a water-dispersible granule comprises a water-soluble potassium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention is 2% to 50% of the total weight of the composition. According to a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention is a water-dispersible granule, comprising a water-soluble potassium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention is 3% to 50% of the total weight of the composition.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention in the form of an aqueous suspension comprises a water-soluble potassium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention accounts for 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention in the form of an aqueous suspension comprises a water-soluble potassium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention accounts for 1% to 30% of the total weight of the composition. According to a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention in the form of an aqueous suspension comprises a water-soluble potassium salt or a derivative thereof; wherein the elemental potassium content in the composition of the present invention accounts for 1% to 10% of the total weight of the composition.

[0133] According to a further embodiment, the water-soluble potassium salts include, but are not limited to, one or more of potassium carbonate, potassium selenide, potassium sulfate, potassium silicate, potassium hydroxide, Potassium Schoenite, potassium bicarbonate, potassium persulfate, and potassium humate. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other water-soluble potassium salts can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0134] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition does not contain potassium chloride.

[0135] According to a further embodiment, the derivatives of water-soluble potassium in the composition include minerals or ores. The ores include water-soluble ores containing potassium, but are not limited to carnallite, leucite, kainite, langbeinite, glauconite, biotite, and anhydrite. The present invention encompasses one or more water-soluble potassium ores selected from carnallite, leucite, kainite, langbeinite, glauconite, biotite, and anhydrite, having a potassium content of at least 4%. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other water-soluble potassium-containing minerals and ores can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0136] The crop nutrient composition comprises 1% - 85% w / w of a water-soluble potassium salt or a derivative thereof based on the total composition. The crop nutrient composition comprises 3% - 85% w / w of a water-soluble potassium salt or a derivative thereof based on the total composition. The crop nutrient composition more preferably comprises 5% - 85% w / w of a water-soluble potassium salt or a derivative thereof based on the total composition.

[0137] According to one embodiment, a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative in an amount of 1% - 85% w / w of the total composition. According to another embodiment, a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative in an amount of 3% - 85% w / w of the total composition. According to a preferred embodiment, a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative in an amount of 5% - 85% w / w of the total composition.

[0138] According to a preferred embodiment, a crop nutrient composition in the form of an aqueous suspension contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative in an amount of 1% - 40% w / w of the total composition. According to a further preferred embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of an aqueous suspension contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative in an amount of 1% - 30% of the total weight of the composition. According to a further preferred embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of an aqueous suspension contains a water-soluble potassium salt or its derivative in an amount of 1% - 20% of the total weight of the composition.

[0139] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule, which comprises:

[0140] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives, in an amount of 1% - 85% w / w of the total composition;

[0141] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives, in an amount of 1% - 85% w / w of the total composition;

[0142] (iii) one or more surfactants selected from one or more of anionic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants;

[0143] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% - 50% w / w of the total composition, and

[0144] wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% - 50% w / w of the total composition, and

[0145] wherein the content of the surfactant is 0.1% - 40% w / w of the total composition, and

[0146] wherein the composition contains fine particles with a size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

[0147] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a crop nutrient composition in the form of an aqueous suspension, which comprises:

[0148] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives, in an amount of 1% to 65% of the total weight of the composition;

[0149] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives thereof, with a content of 1% to 20% of the total weight of the composition;

[0150] (iii) one or more surfactants selected from one or more of anionic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants;

[0151] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0152] wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0153] wherein the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0154] wherein the composition contains fine particles with a size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

[0155] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension, which comprises:

[0156] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives thereof, with a content of 3% to 85% of the total weight of the composition;

[0157] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives thereof, with a content of 3% to 85% of the total weight of the composition;

[0158] (iii) one or more surfactants, with a content of 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition.

[0159] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0160] wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and

[0161] wherein the composition contains fine particles with a size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

[0162] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension, which comprises:

[0163] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives thereof, selected from magnesium molybdate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium magnesium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium humate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium calcium silicate, magnesium tartrate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium oxalate, magnesium fulvate, magnesium silicate, magnesium oxide, periclase, brucite and magnesite;

[0164] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives, selected from potassium carbonate, potassium selenide, potassium sulfate, potassium silicate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium persulfate, potassium hydroxide, potassium-containing kainite, potassium humate, carnallite, leucite, kainite, glauconite, biotite, and potassium magnesium sulfate,

[0165] (iii) one or more surfactants,

[0166] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition,

[0167] wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition,

[0168] wherein the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition,

[0169] wherein the composition comprises fine particles having a size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

[0170] According to one embodiment, the fine particle size of the crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule and an aqueous suspension is 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers, preferably 0.1 micrometer to 15 micrometers.

[0171] It has further been observed that when the composition of the present invention is formulated to a specific fine particle size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers, particularly 0.1 micrometer to 15 micrometers, its nutrient components, particularly magnesium and potassium, are more easily absorbed by plants, thereby increasing the total yield. Therefore, the fine particle size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers of the crop nutrient composition is important not only in terms of the simplicity of the invention but also in terms of efficacy.

[0172] According to another embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule of the present invention comprises particles having a particle size distribution D90 of about 20 micrometers. According to another embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule of the present invention comprises fine particles having a particle size distribution (D90) of about 10 micrometers.

[0173] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition is in the form of a water-dispersible granule, wherein the size of the granule is 0.05 mm to 5.0 mm. According to a further embodiment, the size of the water-dispersible granule is 0.05 mm to 3 mm. The crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule can be prepared by various techniques, such as spray drying, fluidized bed granulation, extrusion, freeze drying, spheronization, etc.

[0174] According to one embodiment, when the water-dispersible granule form of the crop nutrient composition is added to water, it disperses into fine particles having a size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers, preferably dispersing into fine particles having a size of 0.1 micrometer to 15 micrometers.

[0175] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition may further comprise at least one additional water-insoluble / water-soluble phyto-nutrient.

[0176] According to one embodiment, the content of the additional water-insoluble phyto-nutrient is from 0.001% to 40% by weight of the total composition.

[0177] According to another embodiment, the additional phyto-nutrient comprises at least one micronutrient or trace element or a salt or derivative thereof, and the content is from 0.01% to 40% by weight of the total composition.

[0178] According to another embodiment, the micronutrient is molybdenum (Mo); wherein molybdenum exists in its elemental form or its salt or derivative or a mixture thereof.

[0179] According to another embodiment, the crop nutrient composition further comprises molybdenum; wherein the elemental molybdenum content of the composition is from 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition.

[0180] According to a further embodiment, the molybdenum salt exists in a water-soluble or water-insoluble form, including but not limited to one or more of sodium molybdate, ammonium molybdate, molybdenum trioxide, molybdenite, molybdenum glass fertilizer, molybdenum acetate, molybdenum oxide, molybdenum carbonate, molybdenum silicate, calcium molybdate, zinc molybdenum oxide, molybdenum dioxide, molybdenum sulfide, molybdenum hexacarbonyl, molybdenum telluride, molybdenum disulfide and molybdenum disilicide. According to a further embodiment, molybdenum may be in the form of elemental molybdenum or molybdenum powder. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other molybdenum salts may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0181] According to another embodiment, molybdenum derivatives include complexes, minerals or ores of molybdenum, but are not limited to one or more of bis(benzene)molybdenum (Mo(C6H6)2), tris(butadiene)molybdenum, molybdenite, wulfenite and molybdenite. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other molybdenum derivatives may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0182] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition comprises molybdenum salt or a derivative thereof in the range of 0.001% w / w to 20% w / w of the total composition.

[0183] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition does not contain fertilizers mainly comprising ammonium sulfate, urea or other conventional fertilizers.

[0184] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition does not contain or is free of water treatment plant sludge.

[0185] The crop nutrient composition comprises one or more agrochemically acceptable excipients selected from one or more of surfactants, fillers, carriers or diluents, spreading agents, colorants, anticaking agents, binders, buffers, pH regulators, neutralizing agents, disintegrants, pigments, stabilizers, defoaming agents or antifoaming agents, penetrants, structuring agents, humectants, adhesives, antifreezing agents, freezing point depressants, chelating agents, complexing agents, polyvalent chelating agents, preservatives, fungicides, antifungal agents, biocides, antimicrobials or antioxidants.

[0186] According to one embodiment, the content of the agrochemical excipient ranges from 0.01% to 98% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges from 0.01% to 95% by weight of the total composition.

[0187] According to one embodiment, the surfactants used in the crop nutrient composition include one or more of emulsifiers, wetting agents and dispersants. According to one embodiment, the surfactants used in the composition include one or more of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and polymeric surfactants.

[0188] Anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: fatty acid salts, polycarboxylates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, lignin sulfonates, alkyl diphenyl ether disulfonates, polystyrene sulfonates, alkyl phosphate salts, alkyl aryl phosphates, styryl aryl phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate esters, sodium α-olefin sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates or their salts, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sulfosuccinates, polyacrylates, alkyl ether phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl phosphate salts, sulfosuccinate mono-esters and other diesters, phosphates, isopropyl and butyl derivatives of alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, alkyl aryl ether phosphates, polyoxyethylene aryl ether phosphate salts, monoalkyl sulfosuccinates, aromatic hydrocarbon sulfonates, ammonium lauryl sulfate, soaps, soap substitutes, sodium alkyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium laurate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, alkyl carboxylates, sodium stearate, α-olefin sulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, fatty acid salts of alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, sodium salts of naphthalene sulfonic acid condensates, fatty alcohol sulfates, sodium salts of naphthalene sulfonic acid condensates, salts of condensates of naphthalene sulfonic acid with formaldehyde or condensates of alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acid with formaldehyde; or their salts or derivatives; or their salts, derivatives. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different anionic surfactants can also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0189] Nonionic surfactants or polymeric surfactants include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: polyol esters, polyol fatty acid esters, ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols, ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) block copolymers, diblock and triblock copolymers, polysorbates, alkyl polysaccharides, polyethylene glycols, sorbitan derivatives, sorbitan fatty acid esters (Spans) and their ethoxylated derivatives (Tweens), cocoamide monoethanolamine (MEA), decyl, narrow distribution ethoxylated esters, oleyl alcohol, PEG-10 sunflower glycerides, polysorbates, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, sorbitan anhydride, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan tristearate, stearyl alcohol, castor oil ethoxylate, polyethylene glycol ethers, polyadducts of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, polyoxyethylene sorbitan anhydride, polyglycerol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ethers, polyoxyethylene styryl aryl ethers, polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, alcohol ethoxylates - C6 to C16 / 18 alcohols (linear and branched), alcohol alkoxylates (various hydrophobic groups and different EO / PO contents and ratios), polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil; or salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different nonionic surfactants or polymeric surfactants can also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0190] According to one embodiment, the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% w / w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 30% w / w of the total composition.

[0191] According to one embodiment, the dispersants used in the crop nutrient composition include, but are not limited to, nonionic dispersants selected from one or more of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, ethoxylated fatty acids, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl ethoxylates, EO-PO block and graft copolymers; however, those skilled in the art should understand that different nonionic dispersants can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0192] According to one embodiment, the dispersants for the crop nutrient composition include, but are not limited to, anionic dispersants selected from one or more of triphenylvinylphenol ethoxylated phosphate esters, lignosulfonates, phenylnaphthalenesulfonates, alkali metals, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, mixtures of sodium salts of naphthalenesulfonic acid urea formaldehyde condensates and sodium salts of phenolsulfonic acid formaldehyde condensates, polycarboxylates, sodium alkylbenzene sulfonates, sodium salts of sulfonated naphthalenes, naphthalenesulfonate formaldehyde condensates, condensates of aryl sulfonic acids and formaldehyde, polyaromatic sulfonates, sodium alkylaryl sulfonates, and sulfated lignin. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different anionic dispersants can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0193] According to one embodiment, the content of the dispersant is 0.1% - 40% w / w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the content of the dispersant is 0.1% - 30% w / w of the total composition.

[0194] According to one embodiment, the wetting agents used in the crop nutrient composition include, but are not limited to, one or more of phenol naphthalenesulfonates, alkyl naphthalenesulfonates, sodium alkyl naphthalenesulfonates, sodium naphthalenesulfonates, dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, alkylaryl sulfonates, dioctyl sulfosuccinates, polyoxyethylated fatty alcohols, alkyl sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl ether sulfates, and alkyl sulfosuccinic acid monoesters, their salts or derivatives. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different wetting agents can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0195] According to one embodiment, the content of the wetting agent is 0.1% - 30% w / w of the total composition.

[0196] According to one embodiment, the carriers used in the crop nutrient composition include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: solid carriers, fillers or diluents. According to another embodiment, the carriers include mineral carriers, plant carriers, synthetic carriers, water-soluble carriers. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different carriers can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0197] Solid carriers include: natural clay minerals such as kaolin, acid clay, kaolin (such as kaolinite, dickite, nacrite), synthetic and diatomaceous silica, mica (such as pyrophyllite, talc), silica (such as cristobalite and quartz), attapulgite and sepiolite, vermiculite, hectorite, pumice, bauxite, hydrated alumina, perlite, sodium bicarbonate, limestone, natural and synthetic silicates, silica, surface-modified silica, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, loess, mirabilite, precipitated silica, slaked lime, synthetic silicic acid, starch, modified starch, cellulose, plant carriers such as cellulose, rice husk, wheat flour, wood flour, starch, rice bran, wheat bran and soybean flour, sodium caseinate, sucrose, salt cake, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, or their derivatives or mixtures.

[0198] According to one embodiment, the content of the carrier is 0.1% to 95% w / w of the composition. According to another embodiment, the content of the carrier is 0.1% to 80% w / w of the composition.

[0199] According to one embodiment, the defoamer or antifoaming agent used in the crop nutrient composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of silica, siloxane, silica, polydimethylsiloxane, alkyl polyacrylate, ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymer, silicone oil, and magnesium stearate or its derivatives. Preferred defoamers include silicone emulsions, long-chain alcohols, fatty acids, and fluorinated organic compounds. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different defoamers can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0200] According to one embodiment, the content of the defoamer is 0.01% to 20% w / w of the total composition.

[0201] According to one embodiment, the pH regulator, buffer, or neutralizing agent used in the composition includes acids and bases of organic or inorganic types and their mixtures. According to another embodiment, the pH regulator, buffer, or neutralizing agent includes, but is not limited to, one or more of organic acids, inorganic acids, and alkali metal compounds or their salts and derivatives. According to one embodiment, the organic acids include, but are not limited to, one or more of citric acid, malic acid, adipic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid, or their salts, derivatives, and mono-, bi-, or trisalts of these acids or their derivatives. According to one embodiment, the inorganic acid salts include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: alkali metal salts such as sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, monosodium hydrogen phosphate, monopotassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, etc. Mixtures can also be used to prepare the pH regulator, buffer, or neutralizing agent. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different pH regulators can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0202] According to one embodiment, the content of the pH regulator or buffer is 0.01% to 20% w / w of the total composition.

[0203] According to one embodiment, the anticaking agent used in the crop nutrient composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: polysaccharides such as fumed silica and precipitated silica (white carbon black), ester gum, petroleum resin, sodium stearate, polyoxyethylene (100) stearyl ether, sodium acetate, sodium metasilicate, sodium alkyl sulfosuccinate, or their derivatives. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different anticaking agents can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0204] According to one embodiment, the content of the anticaking agent is 0.1% to 20% w / w of the total composition.

[0205] According to one embodiment, the spreading agent used in the composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following substances: copolymers of maleic acid and styrene compounds, (meth)acrylic acid copolymers, fatty alcohols, vegetable oils (such as cottonseed oil) or mineral oils, petroleum distillates, trisiloxanes, modified trisiloxanes or their derivatives. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different spreading agents can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0206] According to one embodiment, the content of the spreading agent is 0.01% to 20% w / w of the total amount of the composition.

[0207] According to one embodiment, the adhesives used in the composition include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: paraffin wax, polyamide resin, polyacrylate, polyethylene oxide, wax, latex, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gums (such as xanthan gum), vegetable oils (such as cottonseed oil), mineral oils, petroleum fractions, modified trisiloxanes, polyethylene glycol, synthetic resin emulsions or their salts or derivatives. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different adhesives can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0208] According to one embodiment, the content of the adhesive is 0.01% to 30% w / w of the total amount of the composition.

[0209] According to one embodiment, the structuring agents used in the crop nutrient composition include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: thickeners, viscosity modifiers, tackifiers, suspension aids, rheology modifiers or anti-settling agents. The structuring agent can prevent the active ingredient particles from settling after long-term storage.

[0210] According to one embodiment, the structuring agents used in the composition include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: polyacrylic acids, polysaccharides, cellulose derivatives, copolymers of cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol and its derivatives; clays such as kaolin, montmorillonite, attapulgite, and gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gelatin, dextrin; fumed silica, a mixture of fumed silica and fumed alumina, swellable polymers, polyethylene glycol, stachyose; celluloses such as hemicellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylpropyl cellulose, methylhydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose; plant starches such as corn starch and potato starch. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different structuring agents can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0211] Preferred structuring agents include one or more of xanthan gum, aluminum silicate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polysaccharides, alkaline earth metal silicates, clays, gelatin and polyvinyl alcohol.

[0212] According to one embodiment, the content of the structuring agent is 0.01% to 20% w / w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the content of the structuring agent is 0.01% to 10% w / w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the content of the structuring agent is 0.01% to 5% w / w of the composition.

[0213] According to one embodiment, the antifreeze agent or freezing point depressant used in the composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: polyols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, monohydric or polyhydric alcohols, ethylene glycol ethers, glycerol. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different antifreeze agents can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0214] According to one embodiment, the content of the antifreeze agent or freezing point depressant is 0.01% to 30% w / w of the total composition.

[0215] According to one embodiment, the chelating agent, complexing agent or polyvalent chelating agent used in the composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: polycarboxylic acids such as polyacrylic acid and various hydrolyzed poly(methyl vinyl ether / maleic anhydride); N-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), N,N,N',N'-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N-hydroxyethyl-N,N',N'-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid and N,N,N',N",N"-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid; α-hydroxy acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid and gluconic acid; orthophosphates, disodium phosphate, monosodium phosphate; condensed phosphates such as sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium tetrapolyphosphate; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDA), ethylenediaminebis(orthohydroxyphenylacetic acid) (EDDHA), cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (CDTA), fulvic acid, humic acid, nucleic acids, cyclodextrin, humic acid, pyrophosphate. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different chelating agents can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0216] According to one embodiment, the content of the chelating agent is 0.01% to 30% w / w of the total composition.

[0217] According to one embodiment, the penetrants used in the composition include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: alcohols, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol ethers, esters, amines, alkanolamines, amine oxides, quaternary ammonium compounds, triglycerides, fatty acid esters, fatty acid ethers, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide or dimethyl sulfoxide, polyoxyethylene trimethylolpropane monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene trimethylolpropane diol ester, polyoxyethylene trimethylolpropane trioleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitol hexaoleate. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different penetrants can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0218] According to one embodiment, the content of the penetrant is 0.01% to 30% w / w of the total composition.

[0219] According to one embodiment, the humectants are selected from, but not limited to, one or more of the following: polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene copolymers, especially block copolymers. Other humectants include propylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerol, etc.; polyol compounds, such as propylene glycol ethers and their derivatives. However, those skilled in the art should understand that different humectants can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0220] According to one embodiment, the content of the humectant is 0.1% to 40% w / w of the total composition.

[0221] According to one embodiment, the stabilizers for the agricultural composition include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: peroxides (such as hydrogen peroxide and organic peroxides), zeolites, antioxidants (such as phenolic compounds, phosphoric acid compounds, EDTA, sodium sulfite, citric acid, citrates, etc.). However, those skilled in the art should understand that other conventionally known stabilizers can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0222] According to one embodiment, the content of the stabilizer is 1% to 30% w / w of the total composition.

[0223] According to one embodiment, the preservatives are selected from one or more of the following: formic acid and derivatives of 2H-isothiazol-3-one (so-called isothiazolone derivatives), such as alkylisothiazolinones (such as 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, MIT; chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, CIT), benzisothiazolinone (such as 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, BIT, commercially available from Arch Biocides Ltd. in type), or 2-methyl-4,5-trimethylene-2H-isothiazol-3-one (MTIT), or RS and MK, sodium propionate, sodium benzoate, propyl p - hydroxybenzoate, sodium propyl p - hydroxybenzoate, potassium sorbate, potassium benzoate, phenylmercuric nitrate, phenethyl alcohol, sodium, ethyl p - hydroxybenzoate, methyl p - hydroxybenzoate, butyl p - hydroxybenzoate, benzyl alcohol, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride. Antioxidants include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: imidazole and imidazole derivatives (such as urocanic acid), 4,4'-thiobis - 6 - tert - butyl - 3 - methylphenol, 2,6 - di - tert - butyl - p - cresol (BHT), pentaerythritol tetra[3-(3,5 - di - tert - butyl - 4 - hydroxyphenyl)]propionate; amine antioxidants. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other conventionally known preservatives can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0224] According to one embodiment, the content of the preservative is 0.01% to 2% w / w of the total composition.

[0225] According to one embodiment, the pigments and colorants are selected from (but not limited to) synthetic chemicals from different manufacturers. The pigments and colorants can be water - soluble or water - insoluble and exist in the form of lakes. The dyes can be solvent dyes, acid dyes or basic dyes. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other conventionally known pigments and colorants can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0226] According to one embodiment, the content of the pigments and colorants is 0.01% to 5% w / w of the total composition.

[0227] According to one embodiment, the disintegrants for the agricultural composition include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: inorganic water - soluble salts, such as sodium chloride; water - soluble organic compounds, such as agar, hydroxypropyl starch, carboxymethyl starch ether, tragacanth, croscarmellose sodium, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, metal stearates, cellulose powder, dextrin, methacrylate copolymer, (cross - linked polyvinylpyrrolidone), polyvinylpyrrolidone. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other conventionally known disintegrants can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0228] According to one embodiment, the content of the disintegrant is 0.5% to 15% w / w of the total composition.

[0229] According to one embodiment, the binding agent or binders for the agricultural composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of maltodextrin, carbohydrates (such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides), complex organic substances, synthetic organic polymers or their derivatives, and combinations thereof. However, those skilled in the art should understand that other conventionally known binding agents can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0230] According to one embodiment, the content of the binding agent is 0.1% to 10% w / w of the total composition.

[0231] The inventors further found that the composition of the present invention surprisingly enhances physical properties such as dispersibility, wetting time, and suspension, and improves viscosity, pourability, and dispersion spontaneity, thereby facilitating handling and reducing material loss during product handling in packaging and field application.

[0232] Wettability refers to the state of being wettable and can be defined as the degree to which a solid is wetted by a liquid, measured by the adhesion force between the solid phase and the liquid phase. The wettability of the granule composition is measured using the standard CIPAC test MT-53, which describes a method for determining the complete wetting time of a wettable formulation. The weighed granule composition is dropped from a specified height onto the water in a beaker, and the time for complete wetting is determined.

[0233] According to one embodiment, the wettability of the water-dispersible granule composition of the present invention is less than 2 minutes. According to one embodiment, the wettability of the water-dispersible granule composition is less than 1 minute.

[0234] The dispersibility of the water-dispersible granule composition of the present invention is determined according to the standard CIPAC test MT 174. According to one embodiment, the dispersibility of the water-dispersible granule composition is at least 30%. According to one embodiment, the dispersibility of the water-dispersible granule composition is at least 50%. According to one embodiment, the dispersibility of the water-dispersible granule composition is at least 70%. According to one embodiment, the dispersibility of the water-dispersible granule composition is at least 90%. When the composition of the present invention comes into contact with water, it can be uniformly dispersed into finer particles with a particle size in the range of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

[0235] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules can be almost instantaneously dispersed; thus enabling the crops to quickly absorb nutrients.

[0236] According to one embodiment, the dispersibility of the composition under ATS conditions exceeds 85%. According to one embodiment, the dispersibility of the composition under ATS conditions exceeds 70%. According to one embodiment, the dispersibility of the composition under ATS conditions exceeds 50%. According to one embodiment, the dispersibility of the composition under ATS conditions exceeds 40%.

[0237] Abrasion resistance determines the wear resistance of particulate materials. This water-dispersible granule composition has good abrasion resistance. The sample can be tested for abrasion resistance according to the test "MT 178.2 - Abrasion Resistance of Particles" specified in the CIPAC Handbook. According to one embodiment, the abrasion resistance of this dispersible granule composition is at least 50%. According to one embodiment, the abrasion resistance of this dispersible granule composition is at least 80%.

[0238] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules or aqueous suspension passes the wet sieve retention test. This test is used to determine the content of undispersed substances in the preparation applied in the form of an aqueous dispersion. The wet sieve retention values of agrochemical compositions in the form of aqueous suspensions and granules are measured using the standard CIPAC test MT-185, which describes a procedure for measuring the content of substances retained on the sieve. The sample of the preparation is dispersed in water, and then the formed suspension is transferred to the sieve and washed. The content of substances retained on the sieve is determined by drying and weighing.

[0239] According to one embodiment, the wet sieve retention value of the crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules or aqueous suspension on a 75-micron sieve is less than 2%. According to one embodiment, the wet sieve retention value of this crop nutrient composition on a 75-micron sieve is less than 0.2%. A wet sieve retention value of less than 2% indicates that this crop nutrient composition contributes to the easy preparation of the preparation and prevents clogging of nozzles or filtration equipment.

[0240] The suspension rate is defined as the amount of active ingredient after a certain time of suspension in a liquid column of a specified height, expressed as a percentage of the amount of active ingredient in the original suspension. The suspension rate test is carried out according to the CIPAC Handbook "MT 184 Suspension Rate Test".

[0241] According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention in the form of water-dispersible granules or aqueous suspension has a suspension rate of at least 30%. According to one embodiment, the suspension rate of this composition is at least 60%. According to one embodiment, the suspension rate of this composition is at least 80%. According to one embodiment, the suspension rate of this composition is at least 90%.

[0242] According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention exhibits an excellent suspension rate under accelerated storage conditions (ATS). According to one embodiment, this composition exhibits a suspension rate of more than 85% under ATS. According to one embodiment, this composition exhibits a suspension rate of more than 60% under ATS. According to one embodiment, this composition exhibits a suspension rate of more than 40% under ATS.

[0243] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of an aqueous suspension has a low concentration and is easy to pour. The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its ability to resist gradual deformation under shear stress or tensile stress.

[0244] According to one embodiment, the viscosity of the aqueous suspension is determined according to CIPAC MT-192. The sample is transferred to a standard measurement system. Measurements are made under different shear conditions, and the apparent viscosity is determined. During the test, the temperature of the liquid is kept constant. According to one embodiment, the viscosity of the aqueous suspension composition at 25 °C is from 150 cps to 2000 cps, making it easy to pour. According to one embodiment, the viscosity of the aqueous suspension composition at 25 °C is from 200 cps to 1000 cps.

[0245] According to one embodiment, the viscosity of the aqueous suspension composition at 25 °C is less than 2000 cps. According to one embodiment, the viscosity of the aqueous suspension composition at 25 °C is less than 1000 cps. Compositions that are too viscous and highly concentrated tend to cake, making them difficult to pour and thus undesirable.

[0246] According to one embodiment, the aqueous suspension composition of the present invention is easy to pour. Pourability is a measure of the percentage of residue.

[0247] According to one embodiment, the pourability of the composition is determined according to the CIPAC MT-148.1 standard by allowing the composition to stand for 24 hours and determining the amount remaining in the container after the standard pouring procedure. The container is rinsed, the remaining amount is determined, and the maximum rinse residue percentage is calculated. According to another embodiment, the pourability of the composition is less than 5% of the rinse residue. According to another embodiment, the pourability of the composition is preferably less than 2.5% of the rinse residue.

[0248] According to one embodiment, the dispersion spontaneity is determined according to the CIPAC MT 160 standard. The method involves preparing a mixture of 250 ml of the formulation and water, which is mixed by inverting the graduated cylinder only once. After standing under specified conditions, the top nine-tenths are removed and the remaining one-tenth is analyzed by chemical, gravimetric, or solvent extraction methods. The dispersion spontaneity is easy to calculate.

[0249] According to one embodiment, the dispersion spontaneity of the suspension concentrate composition is 30%. According to one embodiment, the dispersion spontaneity of the composition is 60%. According to one embodiment, the dispersion spontaneity of the composition is 80%. According to one embodiment, the dispersion spontaneity of the composition is 95%.

[0250] According to one embodiment, the composition of the present invention exhibits excellent thermal, light, temperature, and anti-caking stability. According to one embodiment, the stability of the composition is at least 3 years. According to another embodiment, the stability of the composition is at least 2 years. According to another embodiment, the stability of the composition is at least 1 year. According to another embodiment, the stability of the composition is at least 6 months.

[0251] According to one embodiment, the hardness of the crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules is less than 4 Newtons. According to a further embodiment, the hardness of the crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules is less than 3 Newtons. According to a further embodiment, the hardness of the crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules is less than 2 Newtons. According to a further embodiment, the hardness of the crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules is less than 1 Newton.

[0252] More preferably, the hardness of the crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules is zero. Referring to zero hardness means that the hardness of the granules cannot be measured by a hardness measuring instrument. The hardness of the granules can be estimated by a hardness tester (such as the Vinsyst portable bench hardness tester VTHT series).

[0253] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules or an aqueous suspension, the composition comprising:

[0254] (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives thereof,

[0255] (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives thereof,

[0256] (iii) one or more surfactants,

[0257] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition,

[0258] wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition,

[0259] wherein the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition,

[0260] wherein the composition comprises fine particles having a size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

[0261] The crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules can be prepared by various techniques, such as spray drying, fluidized bed granulation, extrusion, freeze drying, spheronization, etc.

[0262] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules, the method comprising: grinding the following substances in water:

[0263] i. one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives thereof,

[0264] ii. one or more water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives thereof,

[0265] iii. one or more surfactants,

[0266] to obtain a slurry or wet mixture. The obtained slurry or wet mixture is then dried in, for example, a spray dryer, a fluidized bed dryer or any suitable granulating equipment to obtain a water-dispersible granule having a particle size of from 0.1 to 30 microns; and

[0267] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is from 1% to 50% by weight of the total weight of the composition, and

[0268] wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition is from 1% to 50% by weight of the total weight of the composition, and

[0269] wherein the content of the surfactant is from 0.1 to 40% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

[0270] The water-dispersible granules are further sieved to remove too small and too large particles and obtain the desired particle size.

[0271] According to another embodiment, the crop nutrient composition in the form of water-dispersible granules is prepared as follows, by dry milling in a jet mill or a jet grinder:

[0272] i. one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives thereof,

[0273] ii. one or more water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives thereof,

[0274] iii. one or more surfactants,

[0275] to obtain a mixture with a fine particle size. Water is added to the dry powder and stirred into a dough-like, paste-like or wet mixture, and then extruded through an extruder to obtain particles having a particle size between 0.1 and 30 microns. The water-dispersible granules are further screened to remove too small and too large particles until the desired particle size is reached.

[0276] According to one embodiment, the method for preparing a crop nutrient composition in the form of an aqueous suspension comprises: grinding in water:

[0277] i. one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives thereof,

[0278] ii. one or more water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives thereof,

[0279] iii. one or more surfactants to obtain a uniform suspension having a particle size of from 0.1 to 30 microns,

[0280] wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is from 1% to 50% by weight of the total weight of the composition,

[0281] Among them, the potassium content of the composition accounts for 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition.

[0282] Among them, the surfactant accounts for 0.1 to 40% of the total weight of the composition.

[0283] According to one embodiment, the method for preparing the aqueous suspension composition includes adding one or more surfactants into a container equipped with a stirring device to homogenize them in water. Add one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives and one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives to the homogenized mixture, and continuously stir for about 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture reaches a uniform state. Subsequently, pass the obtained suspension through a wet mill to make its particle size between 0.1 and 30 microns, preferably 0.1 to 10 microns. If necessary, during the continuous homogenization process, add one or more excipients, such as structuring agents or optional fungicides or preservatives, to the obtained suspension.

[0284] According to one embodiment, the present invention also relates to the use of the crop nutrient composition as at least one of a nutrient composition, a crop fortifier composition, a soil conditioner composition, a crop protectant, and a yield enhancer composition.

[0285] The present invention relates to a method for improving plant health or enhancing plant nutrient uptake or increasing plant yield; wherein the method includes treating at least one of plants, plant propagation materials, their sites or plant parts, seeds, seedlings, or the surrounding soil with the crop nutrient composition of the present invention.

[0286] The present invention also relates to a method for treating plants and meeting their nutrient requirements by enabling plants to utilize essential nutrients such as magnesium and potassium, and releasing other micronutrients and trace elements present in the soil, which were previously unavailable due to various factors (mainly soil degradation caused by overuse of synthetic fertilizers).

[0287] The present invention also relates to a method for biofortifying plants with essential micronutrients.

[0288] The composition of the present invention can be applied by various methods. The methods for applying to the soil include any suitable method as long as it can ensure the penetration of the composition into the soil, such as fertilizing in seedling trays, furrow application, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, soil infiltration, soil injection, or incorporation into the soil and other methods. The composition can also be applied in the form of foliar spraying.

[0289] It is further observed that the composition of the present invention can prevent the leaching of these nutrients and maximize their absorption by crops, thereby increasing the total yield.

[0290] It has also been observed that when the compositions of the present invention are formulated to a specific particle size, the absorption and utilization rate of magnesium and potassium nutrients by plants can be further improved. It has also been found that the compositions of the present invention play a crucial role in regulating soil pH and promoting the absorption of other nutrients by plants, which are retained in the soil by plants due to various factors (mainly nutrient antagonism caused by soil degradation or excessive use of synthetic fertilizers).

[0291] The inventors have also unexpectedly found that the present composition also solves the problem of magnesium deficiency caused by excessive potassium content in the soil due to long-term application of NPK fertilizers, enabling magnesium to be rapidly absorbed by plants.

[0292] The compositions of the present invention meet the nutritional requirements of plants by providing balanced absorption of essential nutrients such as potassium and magnesium. More surprisingly, the use of such compositions can make plants healthier, resistant to pests and diseases, obtain higher nutrient yields in all types of soils, and ultimately improve the overall health of the soil. The present composition is a highly efficient nutrient utilization composition that meets the needs of crops by providing a multi-nutrient solution and increasing the absorption rate of crops after a single application.

[0293] The rate of invention or the dose of the composition depends on the type of use, the type of crop, or the specific active ingredient in the composition, but the amount of the active ingredient should be sufficient to provide the desired effects, such as crop protection, crop yield, and nutrient absorption.

[0294] A. Preparation examples:

[0295] The following examples illustrate the basic methods and versatility of the compositions of the present invention. The water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives and water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives exemplified in the preparation examples can be replaced with any other water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives and any other water-soluble potassium sources covered in this specification, but the concentration ranges covered need to be changed separately. The composition forms, excipients, and the concentrations of the active ingredients and excipients used in these examples can be replaced with other forms, excipients, and the concentrations of the active ingredients and excipients covered in the present invention. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0296] A. Water-dispersible granule composition:

[0297] 1: A water-dispersible granule composition of 18% magnesium hydroxide (7.50% elemental magnesium) and 38% potassium carbonate (21.35% elemental potassium)

[0298] A water-dispersible granule composition is prepared as follows: 4 parts of sodium lignosulfonate, 34 parts of sodium citrate, 18 parts of magnesium hydroxide and 38 parts of potassium carbonate are mixed to form a homogeneous slurry. The resulting slurry is wet-milled (with water addition) in a suitable wet-milling equipment for 1 hour to make its average particle size less than 2.5 microns, and then spray-dried to form granules.

[0299] The particle size of this composition is in the range of 0.1 - 5 microns. The granule size of this composition is in the range of 0.05 - 1.5 mm. The dispersibility of this composition is 80%, the suspensibility is 90.2%, the wet sieve retention rate on a 75-micron sieve is 0.05%, the wettability is less than 5 seconds, and the hardness is zero. The suspensibility of this composition under accelerated storage conditions is about 80%, and the dispersibility is 70%.

[0300] 2: A water-dispersible granule composition, which consists of 8% of magnesium molybdate (1.05% of elemental magnesium) and 81% of potassium carbonate (45.51% of elemental potassium).

[0301] Prepare the water-dispersible granule composition according to Example 1. Mix 3 parts of sodium lignosulfonate, 2 parts of sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate, 1 part of a mixture of naphthalene sulfonate and condensate of phenol sulfonic acid, 8 parts of magnesium molybdate, 1 part of clay, 4 parts of sodium sulfate and 81 parts of potassium carbonate. Wet-mill the resulting slurry in a suitable wet-milling equipment, and then perform spray drying / fluidized bed drying to obtain granules.

[0302] The particle size of this composition is between 0.1 micron and 10 microns. The granule size of this composition is between 0.1 - 2.5 mm. The dispersibility of this composition is 92%, the suspensibility is 95%, the wet sieve retention rate on a 75-micron sieve is 0.02%, and the wettability is less than 2 seconds. The hardness of this composition is zero. In addition, the suspensibility of this composition under accelerated storage conditions is about 85%, and the dispersibility is also 85%.

[0303] 3: A water-dispersible granule composition, which consists of 80% of magnesium oxide (48.26% of elemental magnesium) and 5.5% of langbeinite (1.07% of elemental potassium).

[0304] Prepare the water-dispersible granule composition according to Example 1. Mix 6 parts of sodium lignosulfonate, 4 parts of sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate, 3.5 parts of a mixture of naphthalene sulfonate and condensate of phenol sulfonic acid, 1 part of sodium citrate, 80 parts of magnesium oxide and 5.5 parts of langbeinite. Wet-mill the resulting slurry in a suitable wet-milling equipment with an appropriate amount of water, and then perform spray drying / fluidized bed drying to obtain granules.

[0305] The particle size of the composition is between 0.1 micron and 20 microns. The granule size of the composition is between 0.1 - 3.0 mm. The dispersibility of the composition is 65%, the suspensibility is 70%, the wet sieve retention rate on a 75-micron sieve is 0.2%, and the wettability is less than 50 seconds. Under accelerated storage conditions, the suspensibility of the composition is approximately 60% and the dispersibility is 55%.

[0306] 4: A water-dispersible granule composition of 34% magnesium oxide (20.503% elemental magnesium) + 11% potassium silicate (5.575% elemental potassium)

[0307] Prepare the water-dispersible composition according to Example 1. Mix 34 parts of magnesium oxide, 11 parts of potassium silicate, 6 parts of polycarboxylate, 6 parts of lignosulfate polymer, 4 parts of sodium naphthalene sulfonate condensate, 3 parts of sodium citrate, 3 parts of sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 33 parts of clay with water, and then grind and dry in a suitable device to obtain granules with a particle size D50 of 2.5 microns and D90 of 7 microns.

[0308] The particle size of the composition is from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, the dispersibility is 45%, the suspensibility is 50%, and the wettability is less than 35 seconds. Under accelerated storage conditions, the suspensibility of the composition is approximately 40%, the dispersibility is 40%, and the wettability is 40 seconds.

[0309] 5: A water-dispersible granule composition of 7% calcium magnesium phosphate (1.068% elemental magnesium) + 42% leucite (7.522% elemental potassium)

[0310] Prepare the water-dispersible composition according to Example 1. Put 5 parts of sodium citrate, 7 parts of calcium magnesium phosphate, 42 parts of leucite, 10 parts of sodium sulfate, 5 parts of sodium lignosulfonate, 2 parts of sodium naphthalene sulfonate condensate, 2 parts of sodium dodecyl sulfate, 1 part of polycarboxylate, 10 parts of lactose, and 16 parts of clay into a blender and mix with water to obtain a slurry. Wet-mill the obtained slurry in a suitable wet-milling device with an appropriate amount of water, and then perform spray drying / fluidized bed drying to obtain granules with a size less than 3.5 mm.

[0311] The particle size of the composition is less than 20 microns. The dispersibility of the composition is 60%, the suspensibility is 65%, the wet sieve retention rate on a 75-micron sieve is 0.13%, and the wettability is less than 55 seconds. The composition further exhibits a suspensibility of approximately 55%, a dispersibility of 50%, and a wettability of 1 minute under accelerated storage conditions.

[0312] 6: A water-dispersible granule composition of 27% magnesium hydroxide (11.25% elemental magnesium) + 30% potassium silicate (15.21% elemental potassium) + 0.095% molybdenum disulfide (0.057% elemental molybdenum)

[0313] A water-dispersible composition was prepared according to Example 1. 3 parts of sodium citrate, 27 parts of magnesium hydroxide, 30 parts of potassium silicate, 0.095 part of molybdenum disulfide, 7.905 parts of sodium sulfate, 9 parts of sodium lignosulfonate, 4 parts of naphthalene sulfonate condensate, 1 part of sodium dodecyl sulfate, 2 parts of polycarboxylate, and 16 parts of clay were put into a blender and mixed with water to form a slurry. The obtained slurry was wet-milled in a suitable wet-milling device with an appropriate amount of water, and then spray-dried to obtain granules with a size in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm. The particle size of the composition was in the range of 0.1 μm to 15 μm. The dispersibility of the composition was 85%, the suspension property was 80%, the wet sieve retention rate on a 75-μm sieve was 0.15%, and the wettability was less than 30 seconds. The composition further exhibited a suspension property of about 70%, a dispersibility of 75%, and a wettability of 55 minutes under accelerated storage conditions.

[0314] B. Aqueous suspension composition:

[0315] 7: An aqueous suspension composition of 40% magnesium hydroxide (16.67% elemental magnesium) + 10% potassium bicarbonate (3.91% elemental potassium).

[0316] 50 g of ethylene oxide (EO) / propylene oxide (PO) copolymer and 80 g of propylene glycol were added to water (in an amount sufficient to prepare 1 liter of the composition), and it was fed into a container equipped with a stirring device for homogenization. Subsequently, 400 g of magnesium hydroxide and 100 g of potassium bicarbonate were added to the homogenized mixture, and stirring was continued for about 20 minutes until the mixture was completely homogenized. Under continuous homogenization, 1 part of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion was added to the above mixture to obtain an aqueous suspension. Subsequently, the obtained suspension was ground in a wet mill to reduce the particle size. Then, under continuous homogenization conditions, 1.2 g of xanthan gum, 1 g of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, and 1.5 g of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion were added to obtain an aqueous suspension.

[0317] The particle size distribution of the composition was D50 of 1.32 μm, D90 of 2.85 μm, the viscosity was 250 cP, the suspension rate was 95.2%, the spontaneous dispersion rate was 92%, and the 75-μm wet sieve retention rate was 0.01%. It was determined that the pourability rinse residue was 0.5%. The suspension rate of the composition under accelerated storage conditions was 85%.

[0318] 8: An aqueous suspension composition of 15% magnesium oxalate (3.246% elemental magnesium) + 6% langbeinite (1.17% elemental potassium)

[0319] 80 parts of triphenylvinylphenol ethoxylated phosphate and 120 parts of monoethylene glycol were added to water (in an amount sufficient to prepare 1 L of the composition), and the mixture was fed into a container equipped with a stirring device for homogenization. Subsequently, 150 parts of magnesium oxalate and 60 parts of potassium potassium magnesium alum were added to the homogenized mixture, and stirring was continued for about 10 minutes until the mixture was completely homogenized. Under the condition of continuous homogenization, 1 part of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion was added to the above mixture to obtain an aqueous suspension. Subsequently, the obtained suspension was ground through a wet mill to reduce the particle size. Then, under the condition of continuous homogenization, 1.5 parts of xanthan gum, 1 part of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, and 1.5 parts of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion were added to obtain an aqueous suspension.

[0320] The particle size distribution of the composition was as follows: D50 was 1.52 μm, D90 was 2.75 μm, the viscosity was 450 cps, the dispersion spontaneity was 93.10, the retention rate of 75-μm wet sieve was 0.01%, and the suspension rate was 90.2%. It was measured that the pourability rinse residue was 0.4%. The suspension rate of the composition under accelerated storage conditions was 80%.

[0321] 9: An aqueous suspension composition of 25% magnesium oxide (15.076% elemental magnesium) + 3% potassium carbonate (1.69% elemental potassium)

[0322] The preparation method of this composition was similar to that of Example 6, using 40 parts of polyethoxylated alcohol, 50 parts of kaolin, 100 parts of monoethylene glycol, 250 parts of magnesium oxide, 1 part of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion, 1 part of xanthan gum, 1 part of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 30 parts of potassium carbonate, and 1.5 parts of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion dissolved in water (in an amount sufficient to prepare 1 L of the composition).

[0323] The particle size of the composition was 0.1-8 μm, the viscosity was 385 centipoise, the spontaneous dispersion rate was 88.10%, the retention rate of 75-μm wet sieve was 0.05%, and the suspension rate was 70%. It was measured that the pourability rinse residue was 0.7%. The suspension rate of the composition under accelerated storage conditions was 50%.

[0324] 10: An aqueous suspension composition of 48% magnesium phosphate (13.32% elemental magnesium) + 5% potassium silicate (2.53% elemental potassium)

[0325] The preparation method of this composition was similar to that of Example 6, using 50 parts of polyethylene glycol, 80 parts of monoethylene glycol, 480 parts of magnesium phosphate, 1 part of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion, 1 part of glycerol, 1 part of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 50 parts of potassium silicate, and 1.5 parts of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion dissolved in water (in an amount sufficient to prepare 1 L of the composition).

[0326] The particulate size of the composition is 0.1 - 3 microns, the viscosity is 550 centipoises, the spontaneous dispersibility is 81.10%, the 75 - micron wet - sieve retention rate is 0.09%, and the suspension rate is 70%. It is measured that the pourability of the rinsing residue is 0.8%. The suspension rate of the composition under accelerated storage conditions is 60%.

[0327] B. Field study:

[0328] Experiment 1: To study the effects of water - dispersible granule (WDG) and suspension concentrate (SC) compositions of "water - insoluble magnesium salts and water - soluble potassium salts" on rice crops:

[0329] Field test method:

[0330] Field tests were carried out in Chiloda, Gandhinagar to evaluate the effect of the examples of the composition of the present invention on rice (paddy) yield.

[0331] The experiment was conducted in the Kharif season using a randomized block design (RBD), with a total of 8 treatments, including an untreated control group, and repeated 4 times. The plot size for each treatment was 40 square meters (8 m x 5 m). 15 days after transplanting the rice, the specified dose of the test product was applied as top dressing. The rice crops in the test field were planted according to good agricultural practices. Seeds of the Gurjari rice variety were used for seedling raising, and 25 - day - old seedlings were transplanted into the test field with a row spacing of 30 cm and a plant spacing of 25 cm. The active doses of potassium and magnesium applied in the field test were in the form of elemental potassium (P) and elemental magnesium (Mg).

[0332] Test details

[0333] a) Test location: Chiloda, Gandhinagar province

[0334] b) Crop: Rice (variety: Gurjari)

[0335] c) Test season: Kharif season 2023

[0336] d) Test design: Randomized block design

[0337] e) Number of repetitions: 4

[0338] f) Number of treatments: 8

[0339] g) Plot size: 8 m x 5 m = 40 square meters

[0340] h) Transplanting date: June 18, 2023

[0341] i) Application date: July 3, 2023

[0342] j) Application method: Top dressing

[0343] k) Harvest date: October 2, 2023

[0344] Yield observations were recorded at harvest, and the average data are listed in Table 1 to illustrate the efficacy of the "water-insoluble magnesium salt and water-soluble potassium salt" WDG and SC formulations of the compositions prepared according to the embodiments of the present invention. We also measured the nutrient uptake of rice seeds through laboratory analysis.

[0345] Table 1

[0346]

[0347]

[0348] · Synergistic factor

[0349] Table 1 (continued)

[0350]

[0351]

[0352] * Days after DAA application

[0353] * The water-insoluble magnesium salt and water-soluble potassium salt selected in the above table and the concentration ranges of these nutrients are exemplary and can be replaced with other water-insoluble magnesium salts and water-soluble potassium salts according to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0354] From the data in Table 1, it can be seen that the compositions T1 and T4 according to the embodiments of the present invention exhibit a synergistic effect.

[0355] The definition of "synergistic effect" was defined by Colby S.R. in the article titled "Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations"

[0356] (Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations), which was published in Weeds, 1967, Volume 15, pages 20 - 22. The expected effect of a given combination of two active ingredients can be calculated as follows:

[0357] E = X + Y – (XY) / 100

[0358] Where,

[0359] E = the percentage of the expected effect after mixing two products X and Y at a specified dose.

[0360] X = the percentage of the effect observed for product A

[0361] Y = Percentage of the effect observed for Product B

[0362] The synergistic factor (SF) is calculated using the Abbott formula (Formula (2) (Abbott, 1925)).

[0363] SF = Observed effect / Expected effect

[0364] Where SF > 1 indicates a synergistic reaction; SF < 1 indicates an antagonistic reaction; SF = 1 indicates an additive reaction.

[0365] When the percentage of the combined yield effect observed is greater than the expected percentage, it can be inferred that the combination has a synergistic effect. When the percentage of the combined yield effect observed is equal to the expected percentage, it can be inferred that it is only an additive effect; when the percentage of the combined yield effect observed is lower than the expected percentage, it can be inferred that it is an antagonistic effect.

[0366] From the data in Table 1, it can be seen that the compositions T1 and T4 according to the embodiments of the present invention exhibit a synergistic effect. This synergistic effect of the "water-soluble potassium salt and water-insoluble magnesium salt" in the form of WDG and SC according to the embodiments of the present invention can be observed from the yield of rice crops.

[0367] According to the data and calculations, the expected rice yield increase rates for the treatment groups T1 and T4 are 26.80% and 24.33% respectively. However, as can be clearly seen from Table 1 above, the treatment group T1 using the water-dispersible granule (WDG) of 18% magnesium hydroxide (elemental magnesium: 7.5%) + 38% potassium carbonate (elemental potassium: 21.35%) and the treatment group T4 using the suspension concentrate (SC) of 9% magnesium carbonate (elemental magnesium: 2.59%) + 5% potassium silicate (elemental potassium: 2.53%) both use the compositions of the examples of the present invention, and the yields have increased by 66.99% and 61.86% respectively. The synergistic factors for the treatment groups T1 and T4 are 2.49 and 2.54 respectively, reflecting the synergistic effect of the compositions of the present invention. On the other hand, the treatment group T2 (adding the water-dispersible granule of 18% magnesium hydroxide (elemental magnesium: 7.5%)) and the treatment group T3 (adding the water-dispersible granule of 38% potassium carbonate (elemental potassium: 21.35%)) increased the rice yield by 12.50% and 16.35% respectively.

[0368] Similar yield trends were also observed in treatment group T4 compared to treatment groups T5 and T6, which also demonstrated the synergistic effect of the compositions of the present invention. The yields of treatment group T5 (9% magnesium carbonate (elemental magnesium: 2.59%) suspension) and treatment group T6 (5% potassium silicate (elemental potassium: 2.53%) SC) were only 10.58% and 15.38% respectively. Therefore, treatment groups T1 and T4 with the compositions in WDG and SC forms according to the embodiments of the present invention showed a synergistic effect compared to the application of single active ingredients.

[0369] The results are even more surprising because the amounts of potassium salts and magnesium salts in treatment groups T2 - T3 and T5 - T6 were the same as those in T1 and T4, and the amounts of potassium salts and magnesium salts applied to the soil were 1067.42 g / ha potassium, 375.12 g / ha magnesium and 253.45 g / ha potassium, 259.47 g / ha magnesium respectively.

[0370] In addition, it was also observed that the rice leaves in the plots treated with T4 and T1 were greener compared to treatment groups T2 - T3, T5 - T6 and the untreated plot (with yellowing leaves).

[0371] It can also be seen from the observation results that the plant height and tiller number of the rice crops in treatment group T1 were higher compared to the application of active ingredients alone. Comparing treatment groups T2 - T3, it was found that the plant height and tiller number of treatment group T1 were 75.50 cm and 33 respectively, while the plant heights of treatment groups T2 and T3 were 69.30 cm and 68.30 cm respectively, and the tiller numbers were 24 and 23 respectively. The plant height of the untreated control group was 65 cm and the tiller number was 19.5.

[0372] In addition, compared to the commercially available product Kaymag potassium - containing langbeinite - treatment group T7, the compositions (T1 and T4) of the present invention containing a combination of water - soluble potassium salts and water - insoluble magnesium salts showed more excellent effects despite the lower application amounts of potassium and magnesium. For example: compared to the untreated, the yield of treatment group T7 increased by 16.60%, the tiller number was 24.5, and the plant height was 70.20 cm. In addition, it can also be seen that only 1200 mg of potassium and 550 mg of magnesium in treatment group T7 were available for absorption. In contrast, the absorption amounts of the same nutrients in treatment groups T1 and T4 were much higher.

[0373] It can be further seen from Table 1 that, compared with treatment groups T2 - T3 and T5 - T6 (where potassium salts and magnesium salts are used alone), even though the application rates of these active ingredients are the same in each treatment, treatment groups T1 and T4 using the compositions of the embodiments of the present invention also show surprising absorption rates of nutrients such as magnesium and potassium. It can be seen that for the WDG composition of T1, the potassium and magnesium that can be absorbed by plants are 1,820 mg and 1,810 mg respectively, while for treatment groups T2 and T3, only 205 mg and 1,100 mg of potassium and 900 mg and 110 mg of magnesium can be absorbed by plants.

[0374] It can also be seen that for treatment group T3 (without magnesium), due to the high dose of potassium applied, the absorption amount of magnesium is very low. In addition, even when high doses of magnesium and potassium are applied simultaneously, the magnesium absorption amount of treatment group T7 is lower than that of treatment groups T2 and T5 that use magnesium alone. However, surprisingly, for composition T1 of the present invention formulated with a specific formulation type, with a specific combination of water - soluble potassium salt and water - insoluble magnesium salt (having a specific particle size), although a high dose of potassium is applied, the absorption amount of magnesium still increases significantly, thereby also helping to overcome the antagonism between potassium and magnesium in the soil.

[0375] Compared with treatment groups T2 - T3, T5 - T6 and T7, the availability of nutrients (especially magnesium) in treatment groups T1 and T4 is significantly improved, which is attributed to the characteristics of the compositions formulated according to the embodiments of the present invention, that is, they exist in the form of water - dispersible granules and aqueous suspensions, and the particle size is between 0.1 μm and 30 μm, which helps to improve the availability of all nutrients (especially magnesium and potassium) in the compositions and makes them more easily absorbed by crops.

[0376] The compositions of the present invention (i.e., T1 and T4) also significantly improve the absorption of nitrogen and iron by rice, while this phenomenon is not observed in the individual compositions and untreated ones, that is, T2 - T3, T5 - T6 and T7.

[0377] From the above data, it can be seen that the WDG and SC compositions adding "water - soluble potassium salt and water - insoluble magnesium salt" in different doses in the embodiments of the present invention have a synergistic effect, and within the covered concentration range, the nutrient absorption amount of rice crops increases significantly, and the yield, plant height and tiller number also increase significantly. Therefore, the compositions of the present invention have a high nutrient utilization efficiency.

[0378] The inventors further observed that, in addition to the magnesium salts and potassium salts listed in Table 1 above, other magnesium salts and potassium salts in this application also show a similar synergistic effect when applied in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0379] Experiment 2: Study the effects of WDG and SC compositions of "water - insoluble magnesium salt and water - soluble potassium salt" on peanut crops.

[0380] Field trials were conducted on peanut variety BG1 in Jalgaon, Maharashtra to evaluate examples of the compositions of the present invention. The trials were conducted in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 8 treatments including an untreated control, replicated 4 times. The plot size for each treatment was 35 square meters (7 meters x 5 meters). The WDG and SC formulations of the test nutrient compositions contained various potassium salts, magnesium salts and their combinations, in different concentration ranges and specified doses of salts, and were applied as basal fertilizers at the time of sowing of the peanut crop. The active doses mentioned in the field trials include the doses of elemental potassium (K) and elemental magnesium (Mg).

[0381] The trial details are as follows:

[0382] a) Trial location: Jalgaon, Maharashtra

[0383] b) Crop: Peanut (BG-1)

[0384] c) Trial season: Rabi season 2023

[0385] d) Trial design: Randomized Block Design

[0386] e) Number of replications: 4

[0387] f) Number of treatments: 8

[0388] g) Plot size: 7 meters x 5 meters = 35 square meters

[0389] h) Application date: January 11, 2023

[0390] i) Sowing date: January 11, 2023

[0391] j) Application method: Basal fertilizer

[0392] k) Harvest date: April 16, 2023

[0393] Observations were recorded at the time of harvest and the average data is presented in Table 2 to enumerate the efficacy of the compositions in the WDG and SC forms of "water-insoluble magnesium salts and water-soluble potassium salts" prepared according to the examples of the present invention. We also measured the nutrient uptake of peanut seeds through laboratory analysis.

[0394] Table 2

[0395]

[0396]

[0397] * Synergistic factor

[0398] Table 2 continued

[0399]

[0400]

[0401] *Days after DAA application

[0402] As can be seen from the data in Table 2, the compositions T1 and T4 according to the embodiments of the present invention show a synergistic effect in terms of peanut kernel yield. As can be seen from Table 2, the synergy factors of the T1 and T4 treatments according to the embodiments of the present invention are 2.73 and 2.76 respectively, indicating that the compositions "48% magnesium phosphate (elemental magnesium: 13.32%) + 5% potassium silicate (elemental potassium: 2.53%)" and "24% magnesium silicate hydrate (elemental magnesium: 4.18%) + 5% potassium hydroxide (elemental potassium: 3.48%)" in SC and WDG forms have a synergistic effect.

[0403] According to the data and calculation results in Table 2, the expected increases in peanut kernel yield for the T-T3 and T4-T6 treatments are 11.40% and 11.84% respectively. However, as can be clearly seen from Table 2 above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, compared with the untreated control group, the treatment group T4 has a 32.68% increase in yield, and the treatment group T1 has a 31.22% increase in yield, showing a synergistic effect.

[0404] It was further observed that compared with the compositions of the present invention (i.e., T1 and T4), the yields of the treatment groups T2, T5 and T3, T6 (i.e., applying magnesium and potassium alone) increased by only 7.80%, 7.32%, 3.90% and 4.88% respectively.

[0405] In addition, compared with the treatment groups T2-T3, T5-T6 and T7 (i.e., commercially available samples) and the untreated control group, the treatment groups T1 and T4 showed the highest nutrient absorption rates of nutrients such as magnesium and potassium, and improved plant physiological parameters, such as the number of pods per plant and the number of plant branches.

[0406] In addition, compared with the commercially available sample Mosaic potassium magnesium sulfate (T7) - a water-soluble powder rich in both potassium and magnesium - the treatment groups T1 and T4 showed better effects in terms of yield, nutrient absorption and growth parameters. In the treatment group T7, the potassium application rate was as high as 1917 g / ha, and the magnesium application rate was as high as 1100 g / ha, with a yield increase of only 16.59%. While in the treatment group T4, the potassium application rate was only 522.68 g / ha, and the magnesium application rate was only 627.48 g / ha, with a yield increase of 32.68%. Compared with the treatment group T7, the application rates are very low.

[0407] In addition, even when high doses of magnesium and high doses of potassium are applied simultaneously in T7, the magnesium uptake is very low compared to the treatment groups T2 and T5 that received magnesium alone. Moreover, it was also observed that due to the application of high doses of potassium, treatment groups T3 and T6 (which did not receive magnesium) also showed low magnesium uptake in the soil. In contrast, treatment groups T1 and T4, namely the combination of the present composition with water-soluble potassium salts and water-insoluble magnesium salts, showed a significant increase in magnesium uptake compared to other treatments, especially compared to treatment group T7 that received high doses of magnesium. Therefore, the excellent effects presented by the present composition are attributed to the combination of water-soluble potassium salts and water-insoluble magnesium salts, which are formulated in the form of WDG and SC with particle sizes in the range of 0.1 to 30 microns, thus helping to overcome the antagonism between potassium and magnesium in the soil.

[0408] Experiment 3: Evaluate the effect of the particle size distribution in potassium silicate + magnesium oxide - WDG and SC compositions on soybeans.

[0409] Field experiment method:

[0410] A field experiment was conducted in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India to observe the effect of WDG and SC compositions containing water-soluble potassium salts and water-insoluble magnesium salts on soybeans. The experiment was carried out in the Kharif season using a randomized block design (RBD), with a total of 8 treatments, including an untreated control group, and repeated 4 times. The plot size for each treatment was 30 square meters (6 meters x 5 meters). The test product compounds of potassium salts, magnesium salts, and their combinations in WDG and SC compositions of the present invention were applied to the soil at sowing time at different concentration ranges and specified doses. The soybean crops in the experimental field were grown according to good agricultural practices.

[0411] Experiment details:

[0412] a) Experiment location: Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

[0413] b) Crop and variety: Soybean (JS335)

[0414] c) Experiment season: Kharif season 2023

[0415] d) Experiment design: Randomized block design

[0416] e) Number of repetitions: 4

[0417] f) Number of treatments: 8

[0418] g) Plot size: 6 meters x 5 meters = 30 square meters

[0419] h) Sowing date: July 7, 2023

[0420] i) Application date: July 7, 2023

[0421] j) Application method: Soil application

[0422] k) Harvest date: October 10, 2023

[0423] Observation results were recorded at harvest, and the average data are listed in Table 3 to enumerate the efficacy of the WDG and SC compositions prepared according to the examples of the present invention. We also measured the nutrient uptake of soybean seeds through laboratory analysis.

[0424] Table 3

[0425]

[0426] Table 3 (continued)

[0427]

[0428]

[0429] According to the data and calculation results, the soybean yield increase of treatment group T1 (i.e., the composition of the present invention, containing 5% potassium silicate (elemental potassium: 2.53%) + 75% magnesium oxide (elemental magnesium: 45.24%), with a particle size of 0.1 - 30 microns) was 48.03%. In addition, it can be clearly seen that the yields of treatment groups T3 - T6 (i.e., applying the same doses of potassium and magnesium as T1, but with different particle sizes) increased by 6.58% to 18.42% compared to the untreated.

[0430] Therefore, compared with the same composition with different particle sizes, the water - dispersible granule containing particles sized from 0.1 micron to 30 microns has more excellent efficacy in terms of both yield and protein content. Since the doses of potassium salts and magnesium salts in all treatment groups T1, T3 - T6 are the same, the results are even more surprising.

[0431] In addition, when comparing T1 with T7 (i.e., a water - disintegrating granule (control sample) composed of 4% potassium chloride (elemental potassium: 2.10%) + 89.847% magnesium hydroxide (elemental magnesium: 37.45%), with a hardness of 29N and a particle size of 0.1 to 100 microns), the yield increased by approximately 40% after applying treatment group T1.

[0432] Similarly, a significant increase in yield was also observed for the suspension concentrate of T2 (i.e., the composition of the present invention, with a particle size of 0.1 - 30 microns) compared to T3 - T7.

[0433] It can also be observed from Table 3 that compared with T3 - T7 and the untreated T8, the utilization rates of potassium, magnesium, and other nutrients (retained in the soil) in T1 and T2 are significantly increased. Therefore, the treatments of T1 and T2 with particle sizes in the range of 0.1 micron to 30 microns also promoted the crop to absorb all micronutrients in the composition.

[0434] Experiment 4: Evaluate the effects of different formulations of "water-soluble potassium salts and water-insoluble magnesium salts" in commercial wheat fields:

[0435] Field test method:

[0436] A field experiment was conducted in Malerkotla, Punjab to examine the effects of the compositions of the present invention in the form of WDG and SC containing water-soluble potassium salts and water-insoluble magnesium salts on wheat. The experiment was carried out during the rabi season, using a randomized block design (RBD). A total of 8 treatments were set up, including an untreated control group, with 4 replicates. The plot size for each treatment was 30 square meters (6 meters x 5 meters). The test product compounds and their combinations of the present invention were made into water-dispersible granules with different concentration ranges and specified doses and applied to the soil during the first irrigation of wheat (25 days after sowing). The wheat crops in the test fields were planted according to good agricultural practices.

[0437] Test details

[0438] a) Test location: Malerkotla, Punjab.

[0439] b) Crop: Wheat (variety PBW-660)

[0440] c) Test season: Rabi season 2022

[0441] d) Test design: Randomized block design

[0442] e) Number of replicates: 4 times

[0443] f) Number of treatments: 8 times

[0444] g) Plot size: 6 meters x 5 meters = 30 square meters

[0445] h) Sowing date: November 10, 2022

[0446] i) Application date: November 10, 2022

[0447] j) Application method: Soil application

[0448] k) Harvest date: April 2, 2023

[0449] Observations were recorded at harvest, and the average data were listed in Table 4 to enumerate the efficacy of the water-dispersible granules and aqueous suspension compositions prepared according to the examples of the present invention. At the same time, the nutrient uptake of wheat seeds was also determined by laboratory analysis.

[0450] Here, the same composition, namely magnesium oxide + potassium carbonate, was formulated into different dosage forms, such as WDG, SC, powder, pellets, and water-disintegrating granules, and applied at exactly the same active doses of potassium and magnesium (i.e., 1544.95 g / ha and 995.28 g / ha) to evaluate the effects of different dosage forms.

[0451] Table 4

[0452]

[0453]

[0454] *Synergistic factor

[0455] Table 4 (continued)

[0456]

[0457]

[0458] It can be clearly seen from Table 4 that for treatment group T1 in the form of WDG of 30% magnesium oxide (elemental magnesium: 18.10%) + 50% potassium carbonate (elemental potassium: 28.09%) and treatment group T2 in the form of SC of 6% magnesium oxide (elemental magnesium: 3.62%) + 10% potassium carbonate (elemental potassium: 5.62%) according to the embodiments of the present invention, the wheat grain yields increased by 33.11% and 30.82% respectively. However, for treatment group T3 of the water-disintegrating granule composition, treatment group T4 of the powder composition, and treatment group T5 of the pellet composition, although the effective dosages of potassium and magnesium were the same as those of T1, the grain yields only increased by 6.23%, 6.56%, and 5.25% respectively.

[0459] Furthermore, based on the data and calculations with reference to treatment groups T6 - T7, the expected yield increase rate was 8.34%. Therefore, treatment groups T1 and T2 showed a synergistic effect compared to the same treatments using pellets, water-disintegrating granules, or powder compositions and the application of individual active ingredients (i.e., treatment groups T6 - T7). More surprisingly, all treatment groups T1 to T6 used the same fertilization dosages of potassium and magnesium, i.e., potassium 1544.95 g / ha and magnesium 995.28 g / ha.

[0460] It was further observed that treatment groups T1 and T2 using the compositions of specific examples of the present invention showed higher greenness and improved plant height, tiller number, and root development compared to the same treatments using pellets, water-disintegrating granules, and powder compositions (i.e., treatment groups T3 - T5).

[0461] In addition, it is worth noting that for the untreated treatment group T8, the magnesium uptake was 39.2 mg / kg, while for the treatment group T7 with potassium applied alone, it significantly decreased to 38.4 mg / kg, which proves that potassium inhibits the uptake of magnesium in the soil. However, after comparing treatment groups T1 - T5 (with the same application doses of potassium and magnesium), surprisingly, although the application dose of potassium was as high as 1544.95 g / ha and the application dose of magnesium was 995.28 g / ha, the magnesium uptake in treatment groups T1 - T2 increased significantly, reaching 75 mg / kg and 72 mg / kg (for wheat seeds) respectively. On the other hand, the magnesium uptake in treatment groups T3 - T5 (i.e., using different formulations) decreased significantly, with the results being 41.3 - 41.7 mg / kg of seeds. Therefore, the composition of the present invention also overcomes the antagonistic effect between potassium and magnesium.

[0462] Thus, it can be seen that the composition of "water-soluble potassium salt and water-insoluble magnesium salt" in the form of WDG and SC in the embodiments of the present invention has a synergistic effect, and compared with other known formulations, both the yield and plant physiological parameters have been significantly improved.

[0463] Experiment 5: Study the efficacy of the composition of the present invention in the form of WDG and SC on cucumber crops.

[0464] A field experiment was conducted in the Indore region to observe the efficacy of the composition of the present invention in the form of water-soluble potassium salt and water-insoluble magnesium salt on cucumbers. The experiment was carried out using a randomized block design (RBD) during the Kharif season, with a total of 5 treatments, including an untreated control group, and repeated 4 times. The plot size for each treatment was 30 square meters (6 m x 5 m). During the pre-flowering stage, the compositions in the form of water-dispersible granules and aqueous suspension formulations of the present invention were sprayed on the leaves. The cucumber crops in the experimental field were planted according to good agricultural practices.

[0465] The experiment details are as follows:

[0466] a) Experiment location: Indore, Madhya Pradesh

[0467] b) Crop: Cucumber (Var - Malini)

[0468] c) Experiment season: Kharif season 2023 (from July 2023 to October 2023)

[0469] d) Experiment design: Randomized block design

[0470] e) Number of repetitions: 4

[0471] f) Number of treatments: 5

[0472] g) Plot size: 5 x 6 = 30 square meters

[0473] h) Sowing date: July 6, 2023

[0474] i) Application date: August 25, 2023

[0475] j) Application method: Foliar spraying (before flowering)

[0476] k) Harvest date: October 17, 2023

[0477] Flowering was observed at 40 DAA, and the average data of fruit yield at harvest are listed in Table 5. Plant vigor was observed 30 days after application, with a scoring range of 0 - 200%, where UTC (untreated control) should always be 100%.

[0478] Table 5

[0479]

[0480] As can be seen from Table 5, after applying treatment groups T1 and T2 (i.e., the WDG and SC compositions of the embodiments of the present invention), the yield percentage of the cucumber crop increased by 40 - 42% compared to the untreated control group. Compared with the untreated control group, the plant vigor also increased by 25 - 30%, and the number of fruits per plant also increased significantly. This indicates that the combination of water-soluble potassium salt and water-insoluble magnesium salt included in the present invention has excellent properties.

[0481] Further from the above data, it can be seen that compared with the individual compositions (i.e., T3 and T4), although the application rates of the compositions of treatment groups T1 and T2 are lower, they perform excellently in terms of yield, plant vigor, and the number of fruits per plant. While the yields of treatment groups T3 and T4 only increased by 6.25% and 13.75% compared to the untreated control group.

[0482] From the above data, it can be concluded that the compositions containing "water-soluble potassium salt and water-insoluble magnesium salt" in the form of WDG and SC according to the embodiments of the present invention show enhanced effects throughout the concentration range even when applied at a lower application dose than the individual active ingredients, and change the contents of the water-soluble potassium salt and the water-insoluble magnesium salt.

[0483] Experiment 6: Study the effects of different combinations of potassium salts and magnesium salts on tomato crops:

[0484] The test site was selected based on the area where tomato crops are prone to nutrient deficiency symptoms and the soil nutrient content is lower than the deficiency level.

[0485] The experiment was conducted in Khalif season using a Randomized Block Design (RBD), with a total of 9 treatments (including an untreated control group), replicated 4 times. The plot size for each treatment was 40 square meters (8 meters x 5 meters). The components evaluated included different formulations such as potassium salts, magnesium salts used alone, and combinations of potassium and magnesium salts. The tomato crops in the experimental field were grown following Good Agricultural Practices. The tomato variety used in the study was Abhilash, with a row spacing of 120 cm and a plant spacing of 45 cm. The experimental details are as follows:

[0486] Experimental details

[0487] a) Experimental location: Nashik (MH)

[0488] b) Crop: Tomato (Variety: Abhilash)

[0489] c) Experimental season: Khalif season 2023

[0490] d) Experimental design: Randomized Block Design

[0491] e) Number of replications: 4 times

[0492] f) Number of treatments: 9 times

[0493] g) Plot size: 8 meters x 5 meters = 40 square meters

[0494] h) Application date: July 17, 2022

[0495] i) Application method: Furrow application / Side application

[0496] j) Transplanting date: July 17, 2022

[0497] k) Harvest dates: October 30, 2022; November 10, 2022; November 15, 2022

[0498] Newly opened flowers were marked once a week, and the number of flowers that had set fruit among the marked flowers was counted to observe the fruit set situation. One week later, the fruits were harvested six times and weighed each time.

[0499] The inventors of the present invention tested various combinations of potassium salts and magnesium salts, and listed the average data of all the observed results in Table 6 to illustrate the effects of the combination of water-soluble potassium salts and water-insoluble magnesium salts in the form of the composition of the present invention on tomato yield, fruit weight, and other parameters.

[0500] Table 6

[0501]

[0502]

[0503] Table 6 (continued)

[0504]

[0505]

[0506] As can be seen from the data in Table 6, compared with other treatments shown as T2 - T4 and T6 in the table, the compositions T1 and T5 (the combination of water - soluble potassium salt and water - insoluble magnesium salt) of the present invention significantly increased the yield, fruit weight per plant, and the number of flowers. Specifically, compared with the treatments of T1 - T4 with almost the same dosage of potassium salt and magnesium salt and the same granule dosage form, the yield of the treatment group T1 with water - soluble potassium salt and water - insoluble magnesium salt increased by about 38%, while the yields of the treatment group T2 with the combination of water - soluble magnesium salt and water - soluble potassium salt, the treatment group T3 with the combination of water - insoluble magnesium salt and water - insoluble potassium salt, and the treatment group T4 with the combination of water - soluble magnesium salt and water - insoluble potassium salt all increased by about 10 - 12%.

[0507] This unexpected increase in yield is due to the combination of water - soluble potassium salt and water - insoluble magnesium salt, and no such yield - increasing effect was observed for other combinations (such as the combination of water - soluble magnesium salt and water - soluble potassium salt, water - insoluble magnesium salt and water - insoluble potassium salt, and water - soluble magnesium salt and water - insoluble potassium salt, etc.). The same trend was also observed in the weight of tomato fruits; the expected fruit weight was 11.32%, while the yield - increasing rate of the treatment group T1 was 24.23%, and the yield - increasing rates of the treatment groups T2 - T4 were about 7 - 10%, which demonstrated the synergistic effect of the present invention.

[0508] Similarly, compared with the treatment group T6 (a liquid preparation of the combination of water - soluble potassium salt and water - insoluble magnesium salt), the treatment group T5 (a suspension concentrate preparation containing the combination of water - soluble potassium salt and water - insoluble magnesium salt) had a 35.82% increase in yield and a 22.55% increase in fruit weight. The yield and fruit weight of the treatment group T6 increased by 11.94% and 7.67% respectively compared with the untreated situation.

[0509] Experiment 7: Study the comparative effect of the composition of the present invention with traditional fertilization methods.

[0510] A field experiment was conducted in Junagadh, Gujarat, India to observe the effect of the composition of the present invention applied in the form of WDG on the availability of magnesium, potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus in onion crops and compare it with traditional fertilization methods.

[0511] The experiment adopted a randomized block design (RBD) with the following treatments, including an untreated control group, repeated seven times. The plot size for each treatment was 40 square meters (8 meters x 5 meters).

[0512] The planted onion seedlings were cultivated according to GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) until harvest or the onion bulbs were fully developed.

[0513] The test details are as follows:

[0514] a) Test location: Junagadh, Gujarat

[0515] b) Crop: Onion (Variety: Red Onion - 11)

[0516] Test season: Rabi season 2022 - 2023

[0517] d) Test design: Randomized block design

[0518] e) Number of replications: 13

[0519] f) Number of treatments: 4

[0520] g) Plot area: 8 m x 5 m = 40 square meters

[0521] h) Fertilization date: November 22, 2022

[0522] i) Seedling raising date: November 22, 2022

[0523] j) Fertilization method: Basal fertilizer (soil fertilization)

[0524] k) Harvest date: March 2, 2023

[0525] The nutrient uptake was recorded, and the average data are listed in Tables 7A and 7B to enumerate the availability of magnesium, potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

[0526] Table 7A: A test was conducted to evaluate the yield and nutrient availability using traditional fertilization methods.

[0527] At the time of transplanting onion seedlings, the NPK traditional fertilizer 19:19:19 (treatment group T1) was applied, and after 45 days, Kaymag potassium magnesium fertilizer (commercially available potassium magnesium fertilizer) was applied (treatment group T2).

[0528] The average values were calculated and are as follows.

[0529]

[0530]

[0531] Table 7B: A test was conducted to evaluate the effect of applying the composition of the embodiment of the present invention on the yield and nutrient utilization rate.

[0532] At the time of transplanting onion seedlings, the NPK traditional fertilizer 19:19:19 (treatment group T1) was applied, and after 45 days, the WDG composition provided by the embodiment of the present invention was applied (treatment group T2).

[0533] The average values were calculated and are as follows.

[0534]

[0535] As can be seen from Table 7A, the application rates of treatment group T1 (i.e., the traditional NPK fertilization method) and treatment group T2 (i.e., the commercially available K-Mg product) were 10 Kg / ha and 5.5 Kg / ha respectively. However, compared with the untreated group, the plants not only had very poor absorption of magnesium and potassium, but also had very poor absorption of major nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

[0536] Thus, it can be seen that the traditional NPK application method and other treatment methods, even with higher application rates, cannot meet the nutritional requirements of plants, and even cannot fully absorb major nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

[0537] Further, from Table 7B, it can be seen that although the amount of traditional NPK fertilizer used was reduced by half, after applying the composition of the embodiments of the present invention, the crops not only had a significant increase in the absorption of magnesium and potassium, but also had a significant increase in the absorption of major nutrient elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Compared with the untreated group, the yield was also significantly increased.

[0538] Therefore, the composition of the present invention not only helps to increase the absorption amount of nutrient elements such as nitrogen (which was not observed when applying high-dose traditional NPK fertilizers), but also helps to reduce the amount of traditional NPK fertilizers used, thus indicating that the composition has a high nutrient use efficiency.

[0539] Experiment 8: Study the effects of the composition of the present invention on the yield and growth parameters of eggplant crops.

[0540] The experiment was carried out using a randomized block design (RBD) during the Kharif season, with a total of 8 treatments, including an untreated control group, and repeated 4 times. The plot size for each treatment was 40 square meters (8 meters x 5 meters). The components evaluated included water-insoluble magnesium salts, water-soluble potassium salts, and molybdenum salts, and the combinations and individual uses of these components were all effective. The eggplant crops in the experimental field were planted according to good agricultural practices. The eggplant seeds used in the study were Pusa purple long, with a row spacing of 120 cm and a plant spacing of 45 cm. The experimental details are as follows:

[0541] Experimental details

[0542] Experimental location: Nashik (MH)

[0543] Crop:: Eggplant, (Pusa purple long)

[0544] Experimental season: Kharif season

[0545] Experimental design: Randomized block design

[0546] Number of repetitions: 5

[0547] Plot area: 8 m x 5 m = 40 square meters

[0548] Application type: Drip irrigation

[0549] Water consumption: 500 L / ha

[0550] Transplanting date: July 30, 2022

[0551] Application date: August 30, 2022 (applied once)

[0552] Harvest dates: November 12, 2022; November 23, 2022; November 28, 2022

[0553] Fifty days after application, plant vigor was observed on a scale of 0 - 200%, with UTC (untreated control) always being 100%. Yield observations were recorded at harvest, and the average data are listed in Table 8.

[0554] Table 8

[0555]

[0556]

[0557] As can be seen from Table 8, for the T1 treatment according to the embodiments of the present invention, the WDG composition is "27% magnesium hydroxide (element Mg: 11.25%) + 30% potassium silicate (element K: 15.21%) + 0.095% molybdenum disulfide (element Mo: 0.057%) - WDG". Compared with the treatments using the active ingredients alone (T2, T3, and T4), the effect is very significant, and the eggplant yield has increased. It can be seen that the active ingredient dosages in treatment groups T1 to T4 are the same, namely 836.39 g / ha of potassium, 618.95 g / ha of magnesium, and 3.3 g / ha of molybdenum. The observed yield increase in treatment group T1 is 43.08%, while the observed yield increases in treatment groups T2 - T4 are 15.38%, 7.69%, and 6.6% respectively.

[0558] From the observation results, it can be seen that the number of fruits per plant and plant vigor of eggplants in treatment group T1 are higher compared to the plots using the active ingredients alone. In addition, compared with treatment groups T2 - T4 and the untreated plots, other plant growth parameters (such as plant height, number of branches, leaf greenness) of the eggplant plots in treatment group T1 are also better, while the untreated plots show yellowing leaves and poor plant growth and development.

[0559] Thus, the treatment group T1 according to the embodiments of the present invention has a synergistic effect. Compared with the plots using the active ingredient alone at the same dose, the treatment group T1 can increase crop yield and improve growth parameters. Further noted is that in addition to the water-insoluble magnesium salt and water-soluble potassium salt, molybdenum is added to the composition of the present invention, which confers additional advantages when applied to crops.

[0560] In addition, the inventors of the present invention also tested the WDG and SC compositions of the present invention on other crops such as peppers and corn. It was found that the compositions of the present invention can further increase crop yield and crop characteristics, such as straw weight, oil content, crop greenness, fruit weight, improve photosynthesis, increase chlorophyll content, plant height, and improve the nutritional value of crops.

[0561] Since the water-soluble potassium salt is easily lost, it is expected that the composition of the present invention will not achieve the expected efficacy when applied in the field. In addition, due to the use of the water-soluble potassium salt, it is expected that the composition of the present invention will provide potassium faster than magnesium, so considering the potassium-magnesium antagonism in the soil, the absorption of magnesium by plants will be poor. However, surprisingly, this composition not only shows an enhanced effect on crop yield, but also shows a synergistic effect on the absorption of magnesium and potassium.

[0562] Thus, the excellent effect of this composition stems from its elemental combination: the combination of a water-soluble potassium salt and a water-insoluble magnesium salt, formulated into a water-dispersible granule (WDG) and suspension (SC) composition with a particle size of 0.1 - 30 microns.

[0563] It has been observed that the composition of the present invention shows enhanced, efficient and excellent performance in the field. By using the composition of the present invention, the application frequency or dosage of nutrients, fertilizers or pesticides can be minimized. In addition, compared with the existing known compositions, this composition shows surprisingly higher field efficacy with a reduced application dose. This composition is very safe for users and the environment. This new composition helps to increase plant yield, balance the absorption of all nutrients, reduce leaf yellowing, and improve plant physiological parameters, thereby obtaining nutrient-rich crops.

[0564] In addition, various advantageous characteristics of the composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to: improved stability, improved toxicological and / or ecotoxicological behavior, improved crop characteristics (including crop yield, crop quality and characteristics), and other advantages well-known to those skilled in the art.

[0565] As can be seen from the above, various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not intended to limit or infer limitations to the specific embodiments shown.

Claims

1. A crop nutrient composition, comprising: (i) one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives thereof, (ii) one or more water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives thereof, (iii) one or more surfactants, wherein, the composition is in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension; and wherein the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition; wherein the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition; and wherein the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition; and wherein the composition comprises fine particles having a size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

2. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, the water-insoluble magnesium salt or derivative is selected from one or more of magnesium molybdate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium magnesium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium humate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium calcium silicate, magnesium tartrate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium oxalate, magnesium fulvate, magnesium silicate, magnesium oxide, periclase, brucite, and magnesite.

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein, the potassium salt or derivative is selected from one or more of potassium carbonate, potassium selenide, potassium sulfate, potassium silicate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium persulfate, potassium hydroxide, potassium-bearing langbeinite, potassium humate, carnallite, kainite, glauconite, biotite, and anhydrous potassium magnesium alum.

4. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, the surfactant comprises one or more of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant.

5. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, the surfactant comprises one or more of an emulsifier, a wetting agent, and a dispersant.

6. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 5, wherein, the dispersant is a nonionic dispersant selected from one or more of the following: polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, ethoxylated fatty acid, fatty alcohol ethoxylate, alkyl ethoxylate, EO-PO block copolymer, graft copolymer, addition product of ethylene oxide and fatty acid ester, sulfate lignin polymer, polyoxyethylene alkyl ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester, ethoxylated alkyl phenol, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether.

7. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 5, wherein, the dispersant is an anionic dispersant selected from one or more of the following: sulfated fatty alcohol ethylene glycol ether, triphenylvinylphenol ethoxylated phosphate ester; lignin sulfonate, phenylnaphthalenesulfonate, alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, and ammonium salts of lignin sulfonic acid, lignin derivatives, alkylaryl sulfonate, alkyl sulfonate, mixture of sodium salt of naphthalenesulfonic acid urea formaldehyde condensate and sodium salt of phenolsulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate, polycarboxylate, sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, sodium salt of sulfonated naphthalene, naphthalenesulfonate formaldehyde condensate, condensate of aryl sulfonic acid and formaldehyde, polyarylsulfonate, sodium alkylaryl sulfonate.

8. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, The composition further comprises one or more agrochemically acceptable excipients selected from one or more of fillers, carriers, diluents, spreading agents, colorants, anticaking agents, disintegrants, binders, buffers, pH regulators, neutralizing agents, pigments, stabilizers, defoaming agents or antifoaming agents, penetrants, ultraviolet absorbers, structuring agents, humectants, adhesives, antifreeze agents, freezing point depressants, chelating agents, complexing agents, polyvalent chelating agents, preservatives, bactericides, fungicides, biocides, antimicrobials or antioxidants.

9. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, the aqueous suspension composition further comprises a structuring agent selected from one or more of thickeners, suspending agents, suspension aids, viscosity regulators, rheology modifiers, tackifiers and antisettling agents.

10. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 9, wherein, the content of the structuring agent is 0.01% to 20% of the total weight of the composition.

11. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, the dispersibility of the water-dispersible granule composition is at least 30%.

12. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, the suspensibility of the composition is at least 30%.

13. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, the viscosity of the aqueous suspension composition at 25 °C is 150 cps to 2000 cps.

14. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, the composition further comprises elemental molybdenum or its salts or its derivatives or mixtures; and wherein the content of elemental molybdenum in the composition is 0.001 to 10% of the total weight of the composition.

15. A method for preparing a crop nutrient composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the method comprises: A. Grinding in water: i. one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives, ii. one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives, iii. one or more surfactants to obtain a slurry or a wet mixture, B. Drying the slurry or the wet mixture to obtain granules; wherein the content of elemental magnesium in the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and wherein the content of elemental potassium in the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and wherein the content of the surfactant is 0.1 to 40% of the total weight of the composition, and wherein the composition comprises fine particles having a size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

16. A method for preparing a crop nutrient composition in the form of an aqueous suspension as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the method comprises: Grinding in water: i. one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or their derivatives, ii. one or more water-soluble potassium salts or their derivatives, iii. one or more surfactants, to form a uniform suspension having a fine particle size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers, wherein the content of elemental magnesium in the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, wherein the content of elemental potassium in the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, Wherein, the content of the surfactant is 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition.

17. The crop nutrient composition according to claim 1, wherein, the composition is at least one of a fertilizer composition, a nutrient composition, a crop fortifier composition, a soil conditioner composition, and a yield enhancer composition.

18. A method for improving plant health or yield, wherein, the method comprises treating at least one of a plant, plant propagation material, its locus or plant part, seed, seedling, or surrounding soil with the crop nutrient composition according to claim 1.

19. A method for treating a plant and meeting its nutrient requirements by applying a crop nutrient composition, the composition meeting its nutrient requirements by enhancing the uptake of magnesium and potassium, the composition comprising: i. one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts or derivatives thereof, ii. one or more water-soluble potassium salts or derivatives thereof, iii. one or more surfactants, wherein, the composition is in the form of a water-dispersible granule or an aqueous suspension; and wherein, the elemental magnesium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and wherein, the elemental potassium content of the composition is 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and wherein, the surfactant accounts for 0.1% to 40% of the total weight of the composition, and wherein, the composition comprises fine particles having a size of 0.1 micrometer to 30 micrometers.

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