Granular soil and production method and application thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses granular soil and a production method and application thereof, and relates to the technical field of agricultural cultivation media. The brick is prepared from the following raw materials: 70% of red soil, 15% of smoke rock and 15% of river sand. The granular soil comprises the following trace elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, boron and molybdenum. By adopting the scientific proportion of the red soil, the smoke rock and the river sand, the fertilizer is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and various trace elements such as iron, manganese, zinc, boron and molybdenum, and the nutritional requirements of plants in the whole growth period are met. The granular soil is regular in particle shape and moderate in hardness, natural gaps are formed among the particles, the air permeability and drainage of the soil are effectively improved, water accumulation and root rotting are prevented, water and nutrients can be locked through micropore structures in the particles, slow release is achieved, the watering frequency and nutrient loss are remarkably reduced, and the fertilizer utilization rate is increased. Standardized crushing, mixing, granulating, drying and screening procedures are adopted, so that particles are uniform, moderate in hardness and not easy to pulverize, and the product quality is stable and reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of agricultural cultivation media technology, specifically a granular soil and its production method and application. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of modern horticulture and facility agriculture, traditional soil cultivation methods can no longer meet the needs of efficient, water-saving, and environmentally friendly planting. Conventional soils generally suffer from problems such as compaction, poor aeration, rapid nutrient release, and weak water and fertilizer retention capacity, leading to poor root development, low nutrient utilization, frequent watering, and a high risk of root rot.

[0003] While some granular cultivation media, such as vermiculite, perlite, and expanded clay pebbles, are available on the market, most lack a comprehensive nutrient ratio or rely on later fertilization, making it difficult to achieve long-term slow-release of nutrients and microenvironment regulation. Furthermore, existing granular soils often use simple mixtures of natural raw materials, lacking scientific formulation design and systematic production processes, resulting in unstable product quality and limited functionality. Therefore, developing a granular nutrient soil that combines good physical structure, comprehensive nutrients, and slow-release water retention has become an urgent need for modern horticulture and green planting.

[0004] Therefore, we propose a granular soil, its production method, and its application to address the problems mentioned above.

[0005] The information disclosed above in this background section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background technology of this invention, and therefore may include prior art that is not known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a granular soil, its production method, and its application, in order to solve the problems in the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a granular soil, made from the following raw materials: 70% red soil, 15% shale, and 15% river sand.

[0008] Preferably, the granular soil contains the following trace elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, boron, and molybdenum.

[0009] A method for producing granular soil includes the following steps:

[0010] Step 1: Raw material preparation and pretreatment

[0011] Natural red soil, smoke rock and river sand are crushed and screened separately to ensure uniform fineness of raw materials, which facilitates subsequent mixing and granulation.

[0012] Step 2, Feeding

[0013] The measured red soil, shale, and river sand are sequentially fed into the feeding hopper, which is equipped with a screw conveyor or belt conveyor to evenly transport the raw materials to the mixer.

[0014] Step 3: Stir and mix

[0015] Feed the raw materials into the mixer, start the mixer, control the mixing speed at 20-30 rpm, and mix for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is uniform in color and free of visible lumps;

[0016] Step 4: Granulation

[0017] Granulation is carried out using a disc granulator with a diameter of 2-4 meters. The rotation speed and water spray volume of the disc granulator are adjusted to make the mixture roll into granules.

[0018] Step 5: Initial Screening

[0019] After granulation, the granules enter the screening machine and undergo primary screening by vibrating screen. Qualified granules enter the drying step, oversized granules are returned to the granulator for regranulation, and undersized granules are returned to the mixer for reprocessing.

[0020] Step 6: Drying

[0021] Use a rotary dryer or fluidized bed dryer for drying. Control the drying temperature at 100℃-120℃ to avoid excessive temperature causing decomposition of trace elements. The drying time is 20-30 minutes to reduce the moisture content of the particles to below 5%.

[0022] Step 7, Secondary Filtering

[0023] After drying, the granules pass through a vibrating screen again to remove debris or clumps generated during the drying process. Qualified granules proceed to the packaging step, while unqualified granules are recycled as appropriate.

[0024] Step 8: Packaging

[0025] Use an automatic packaging machine to pack the granular soil into waterproof and moisture-proof woven bags or plastic bags. During the packaging process, the bag opening must be sealed and a label must be affixed, indicating the product name, raw material ratio, trace element content, production date and expiration date.

[0026] Step 9: Finished Product Storage

[0027] Finished granular soil should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse, avoiding direct sunlight and moisture. The stacking height should not exceed 5 layers to prevent crushing of the granules.

[0028] Preferably, in step 1, a jaw crusher or hammer crusher is used to crush the raw material to a particle size of less than 2 mm, and then the material is passed through an 80-mesh vibrating screen.

[0029] Preferably, in step 3, the moisture content of the mixture is controlled at 15%-20%.

[0030] Preferably, in step 4, the rotation speed of the granulator is 10-15 rpm, and the granulation process is continuously monitored to avoid excessive moisture or dryness.

[0031] Preferably, in step 6, the particles are continuously turned over during the drying process to ensure uniform drying. After drying, the particle surface is hard and free of cracks.

[0032] The above-mentioned applications of granular soil in flower cultivation, fruit tree cutting propagation, and organic vegetable cultivation.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0034] 1. This invention uses a scientific ratio of red soil, smoke rock and river sand, which is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and various trace elements such as iron, manganese, zinc, boron and molybdenum, to meet the nutritional needs of plants throughout their entire growth period.

[0035] 2. The granular soil of this invention has regular particle shape and moderate hardness, and natural gaps are formed between the particles, which effectively improves soil aeration and drainage, prevents water accumulation and root rot, and the microporous structure inside the particles can lock in water and nutrients, achieve slow release, significantly reduce watering frequency and nutrient loss, and improve fertilizer utilization.

[0036] 3. After using the granular soil of this invention, the plant root system is more developed, and the growth indicators such as plant height, stem diameter, and number of leaves are significantly better than those of conventional soil.

[0037] 4. This invention adopts standardized crushing, mixing, granulation, drying and screening processes to ensure uniform particle size, moderate hardness and non-pulverization, and stable and reliable product quality. It can reduce the amount of chemical fertilizer used, reduce agricultural non-point source pollution, and is suitable for planting and seedling cultivation of various crops such as flowers, fruit trees, and vegetables. Attached Figure Description

[0038] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the production process of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] Example 1:

[0042] A type of granular soil is made from the following raw materials: 70% red clay, 15% shale, and 15% river sand.

[0043] Granular soil contains the following trace elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, boron, and molybdenum.

[0044] Nitrogen enhances soil fertility, making it more fertile, and promotes crop growth, increasing yield and protein content in agricultural products. Phosphorus strengthens crop stems and branches, enhancing crop resistance, such as drought and cold resistance, and promotes flower bud formation and faster ripening. Potassium strengthens crops against lodging, drought, cold, and pests, strengthens stems, promotes root growth, and encourages flowering and fruiting. Iron promotes chlorophyll formation, nitrogen metabolism, and disease resistance. Manganese enhances photosynthesis, regulates redox balance, promotes nitrogen metabolism, and benefits crop growth and development, reducing disease infection rates. Zinc promotes photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and auxin synthesis, enhancing disease and cold resistance. Boron promotes carbon and nitrogen metabolism in crops, which is beneficial to the growth and development of crop roots, the growth of vegetative and reproductive organs, and the early maturity of crops, thus enhancing their resistance to adverse conditions. Molybdenum promotes nitrogen metabolism in crops, facilitates biological nitrogen fixation, enhances photosynthesis, promotes the transfer of carbohydrates in crops, and improves their drought and cold resistance.

[0045] The particle soil test report for this invention is as follows:

[0046] Table 1. Detection results of granular soil according to the present invention

[0047]

[0048]

[0049] Table 2. Soil Nutrient Content Grading Standards

[0050]

[0051] Table 3. Grading Standards for Soil Trace Element Content

[0052]

[0053]

[0054] As can be seen from the above, the granular soil of this invention has a pH value of 6.9, and the soil is weakly acidic, which is conducive to plant growth and the decomposition and release of various trace elements into a free and available state, so as to facilitate the absorption and utilization of plants. The content of most mineral trace elements reaches the secondary standard or above (rich) of soil, among which the content of available iron and available potassium reaches the primary standard (extremely rich), and the content of available zinc, available manganese and available boron reaches the secondary standard (rich). These play a key role in the rooting and strengthening of plants.

[0055] Because granular soil has particles of 1-3mm, 3-6mm, and 6-9mm in size, it is hard and does not easily pulverize. As a soil substrate for plant growth, the particles naturally form tiny gaps, allowing for water and air permeability, which is beneficial for plant root growth. The particle shape of the soil effectively locks in moisture, and various effective trace elements and nutrients are slowly released from the inside out through tiny capillary channels within the particles, achieving the effect of water and fertilizer retention. Experiments have shown that under the same conditions, ordinary soil needs to be watered once a day, while granular soil of this invention can be watered once every three days, with less nutrient loss and longer-lasting soil nutrient retention.

[0056] Example 2:

[0057] A method for producing granular soil includes the following steps:

[0058] Step 1: Raw material preparation and pretreatment

[0059] Prepare natural red soil, smoke rock and river sand for crushing and screening. Use a jaw crusher or hammer crusher to crush the raw materials to a particle size of less than 2mm, and then pass them through an 80-mesh vibrating screen to ensure that the fineness of the raw materials is uniform, which is convenient for subsequent mixing and granulation.

[0060] Step 2, Feeding

[0061] The measured red soil, shale, and river sand are sequentially fed into the feeding hopper, which is equipped with a screw conveyor or belt conveyor to evenly transport the raw materials to the mixer.

[0062] Step 3: Stir and mix

[0063] Feed the raw materials into the mixer, start the mixer, control the mixing speed at 20-30 rpm, mix for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is uniform in color and free of visible lumps, and control the moisture content of the mixture at 15%-20%.

[0064] Step 4: Granulation

[0065] Granulation is carried out using a disc granulator with a diameter of 2-4 meters. The rotation speed and water spray volume of the disc granulator are adjusted to make the mixture roll into granules. The rotation speed of the granulator is 10-15 rpm. During the granulation process, the granule forming condition is continuously monitored to avoid being too wet or too dry.

[0066] Step 5: Initial Screening

[0067] After granulation, the granules enter the screening machine and undergo primary screening by vibrating screen. Qualified granules enter the drying step, oversized granules are returned to the granulator for regranulation, and undersized granules are returned to the mixer for reprocessing.

[0068] Step 6: Drying

[0069] Use a rotary dryer or fluidized bed dryer for drying. Control the drying temperature at 100℃-120℃ to avoid the decomposition of trace elements due to excessive temperature. The drying time is 20-30 minutes to reduce the moisture content of the particles to below 5%. During the drying process, continuously turn the particles to ensure uniform drying. After drying, the particle surface is hard and free of cracks.

[0070] Step 7, Secondary Filtering

[0071] After drying, the granules pass through a vibrating screen again to remove debris or clumps generated during the drying process. Qualified granules proceed to the packaging step, while unqualified granules are recycled as appropriate.

[0072] Step 8: Packaging

[0073] Use an automatic packaging machine to pack the granular soil into waterproof and moisture-proof woven bags or plastic bags. During the packaging process, the bag opening must be sealed and a label must be affixed, indicating the product name, raw material ratio, trace element content, production date and expiration date.

[0074] Step 9: Finished Product Storage

[0075] Finished granular soil should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse, avoiding direct sunlight and moisture. The stacking height should not exceed 5 layers to prevent crushing of the granules.

[0076] The following comparative experiments verify the advantages of the granular soil of this invention in terms of water retention, slow release of nutrients, air permeability, and promotion of plant growth during the plant growth process.

[0077] The experimental group used the granular soil of this invention, control group 1 used ordinary garden soil, and control group 2 used commercially available granular soil. The plant species were pothos, tomato, and lettuce, with 3 pots of each.

[0078] 1. Soil physical property determination

[0079] The bulk density, porosity, and water holding capacity of each soil group were measured. The soil surface drying time after watering was recorded. The results are as follows.

[0080] Table 4. Results of Soil Physical Properties Measurement

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] As can be seen from the above, the water holding capacity of the granular soil of this invention reaches 52.3%, which is significantly higher than that of ordinary garden soil and commercially available granular soil. The drying time is extended to 3.2 days, which can effectively reduce the frequency of watering.

[0084] 2. Measurement of plant growth indicators

[0085] Taking tomatoes as an example, during a 30-day growth cycle, the plant height growth, stem diameter, number of leaves, root length, root fresh weight, and above-ground fresh weight were measured. The results are as follows.

[0086] Table 5. Results of Plant Growth Indicators Measurement

[0087] index experimental group Control group 1 Control group 2 Plant height growth (cm) 28.5 18.2 24.1 Stem diameter (mm) 6.8 5.1 6.0 Number of leaves (blades) 12.3 9.5 11.0 Root length (cm) 25.6 16.8 21.4 Fresh root weight (g) 8.9 5.2 7.1 Fresh weight of above-ground parts (g) 45.6 30.3 38.7

[0088] As can be seen from the above, the experimental group was significantly better than the control group in terms of plant height growth, root length, and root fresh weight. The plants in the granular soil of this invention have more developed root systems and grow more vigorously.

[0089] 3. Nutrient release and utilization rate determination

[0090] Soil samples were taken every 10 days to determine the content of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The results on day 30 are as follows.

[0091] Table 6. Changes in soil nutrient content

[0092] index experimental group Control group 1 Control group 2 Available nitrogen (mg / kg) 85.6 42.3 70.2 Available phosphorus (mg / kg) 15.2 8.7 12.9 Available potassium (mg / kg) 380.5 195.8 320.6

[0093] The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents in plant leaves were measured, and the nutrient absorption rate was calculated. The results are as follows.

[0094] Table 7. Nutrient content in plant leaves - nitrogen as an example

[0095] Group Total nitrogen content in leaves (%) Nitrogen uptake rate (%) experimental group 3.45 78.2 Control group 1 2.60 58.4 Control group 2 3.10 70.1

[0096] As shown above, the available potassium content in the experimental soil remained at 380.5 mg / kg after 30 days, indicating that the granular soil of this invention has good nutrient slow-release capacity, and the nitrogen absorption rate of plants increased to 78.2%, which is much higher than the 58.4% of ordinary garden soil. This shows that the granular soil of this invention releases nutrients slowly, and the content of available nutrients in the soil is more stable.

[0097] 4. Water retention comparison experiment

[0098] Equal amounts of soil samples were saturated with water and then allowed to evaporate naturally in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at 30℃ and 50% humidity for 7 consecutive days. The residual moisture content was recorded. The results are as follows.

[0099] Table 8. Soil moisture evaporation dynamics

[0100]

[0101]

[0102] As shown above, the granular soil of this invention exhibits the best water retention performance, maintaining 52.3% moisture content on the third day, which is significantly higher than that of ordinary garden soil and commercially available granular soil. This verifies that the granular soil of this invention can effectively reduce the frequency of watering, achieving the remarkable effect of watering only once every three days.

[0103] 5. Observation of air permeability

[0104] The hardness of the dried soil was measured using a soil hardness meter, and the time required for 200 ml of water to completely penetrate the soil was quantitatively measured. The results are as follows.

[0105] Table 9. Results of Soil Permeability and Structural Properties Measurement

[0106] index experimental group Control group 1 Control group 2 <![CDATA[Soil hardness (N / cm 2 )]]> 12.5 25.8 15.3 Water infiltration time (seconds) 15 120 25 Observation conclusions Loose structure, no hardening Noticeable hardening and surface cracking The structure is relatively good, with slight hardening.

[0107] As can be seen from the above, the hardness of the granular soil of this invention is only 12.5 N / cm. 2 The results indicate that its structure is very loose, which is conducive to root penetration; water infiltration takes only 15 seconds, proving that its pore structure is excellent, with excellent water permeability and air permeability, effectively preventing waterlogging and root rot. Overall, the granular soil of this invention performs best in both hardness and water infiltration speed, creating an ideal microenvironment for plant root growth.

[0108] In summary, the granular soil of this invention contains a variety of medium and trace elements and compounds essential for plant growth. Long-term application of chemical fertilizers results in a utilization rate of only 30%, with large amounts of fertilizer leached into groundwater or flowing into rivers and lakes by rainwater, causing environmental pollution. Granular soil not only reduces the amount of chemical fertilizer applied, but also stabilizes the small amount of fertilizer entering the soil under the action of microorganisms, facilitating crop absorption and utilization, thus improving fertilizer efficiency. Granular soil also improves soil physical properties, increases soil aggregate structure, thereby loosening the soil, reducing soil compaction, and promoting water retention, fertilizer retention, aeration, and root development, providing a comfortable growing environment for plants. Granular soil can regulate the opening degree of crop stomata; these substances, in synergy with the metabolic enzymes of beneficial microorganisms, can enhance the overall resistance of crops, thereby improving their drought resistance. The enhanced soil aggregate structure promotes capillary permeability, ensuring soil water transport and improving soil water utilization efficiency.

[0109] This invention utilizes scientifically proportioned natural mineral materials, granulated and then cured at high temperatures to achieve moderate hardness, preventing clumping and powdering. Later, a specific ratio of microbial inoculum and organic matter is added according to the crop's physiological needs, promoting healthy and rapid growth. The granular nutrient soil produced by this invention can be used for flower cultivation, fruit tree cutting propagation, and organic vegetable cultivation. It reduces the amount of chemical fertilizer used, loosens the soil, improves water and aeration, retains fertilizer and water, creates a favorable microenvironment for plant growth, promotes root growth, prevents root rot and burn, and increases survival rates. It is particularly suitable for cultivating "high-end bonsai."

[0110] The foregoing has only described certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A granular soil, characterized in that, It is made from the following raw materials: 70% red clay, 15% shale, and 15% river sand.

2. The granular soil according to claim 1, characterized in that: The granular soil contains the following trace elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, boron, and molybdenum.

3. A method for producing granular soil according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Raw material preparation and pretreatment Natural red soil, smoke rock and river sand are crushed and screened separately to ensure uniform fineness of raw materials, which facilitates subsequent mixing and granulation. Step 2, Feeding The measured red soil, shale, and river sand are sequentially fed into the feeding hopper, which is equipped with a conveyor to evenly transport the raw materials to the mixer. Step 3: Stir and mix Feed the raw materials into the mixer, start the mixer, control the mixing speed at 20-30 rpm, and mix for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is uniform in color and free of visible lumps; Step 4: Granulation Granulators are used for granulation. The speed and water spray volume of the granulator are adjusted to make the mixture roll into granules. Step 5: Initial Screening After granulation, the granules enter the screening machine and undergo primary screening by vibrating screen. Qualified granules enter the drying step, oversized granules are returned to the granulator for regranulation, and undersized granules are returned to the mixer for reprocessing. Step 6: Drying Use a dryer to dry the particles, with the drying temperature controlled at 100℃-120℃ to avoid excessive temperature causing the decomposition of trace elements. The drying time is 20-30 minutes to reduce the moisture content of the particles to below 5%. Step 7, Secondary Filtering After drying, the granules pass through a vibrating screen again to remove debris or clumps generated during the drying process. Qualified granules proceed to the packaging step, while unqualified granules are recycled as appropriate. Step 8: Packaging Use an automatic packaging machine to pack the granular soil into waterproof and moisture-proof woven bags or plastic bags. During the packaging process, the bag opening must be sealed and a label must be affixed, indicating the product name, raw material ratio, trace element content, production date and expiration date. Step 9: Finished Product Storage Finished granular soil should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse, avoiding direct sunlight and moisture. The stacking height should not exceed 5 layers to prevent crushing of the granules.

4. The method for producing granular soil according to claim 3, characterized in that: In step 1, a jaw crusher or hammer crusher is used to crush the raw material to a particle size of less than 2 mm, and then it is passed through an 80-mesh vibrating screen.

5. The method for producing granular soil according to claim 3, characterized in that: In step 3, the moisture content of the mixture is controlled between 15% and 20%.

6. The method for producing granular soil according to claim 3, characterized in that: In step 4, the granulator rotates at 10-15 rpm. During the granulation process, the granulation condition is continuously monitored to avoid excessive moisture or dryness.

7. The method for producing granular soil according to claim 3, characterized in that: In step 6, the particles are constantly turned over during the drying process to ensure uniform drying. After drying, the particle surface is hard and free of cracks.

8. The application of the granular soil as described in any one of claims 1-2 in flower planting, fruit tree cutting propagation, and organic vegetable planting.

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