Method for producing a fertilizer for organic farming

Abstract

Method for producing a fertilizer for organic farming comprising, in the specified order, the following steps a) Placing water in a container with a mixing device; b) Addition of one or more humic acids and an algae extract; c) Addition of citric acid; d) Addition of an aqueous solution of one or more plant amino acids, wherein steps b) to d) and a subsequent reaction time take place under continuous mixing, and between steps c) and d) in an additional step e) organic and / or mineral plant nutrients are added.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a fertilizer and fertilizers produced therein, which in particular comply with the approval requirements for organic farming.

[0002] For the production of agricultural products that may be labelled as organic, EU legislation on organic farming precisely defines how these agricultural products and foodstuffs must be produced and manufactured. The relevant provisions for the fertilizers that may be used are essentially those of the EC Organic Regulation (EC) No. 834 / 2007 of 28 June 2007 and the Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 889 / 2008 of 5 September 2008 (production, labelling and control). These regulations specify the type and origin of the permitted fertilizers and their components.

[0003] When developing fertilizers for organic farming, the selection of possible ingredients is therefore limited. Purely synthetic active ingredients, in particular, are ruled out from the start. This leads to the fact that the effectiveness of available fertilizers for organic farming often lags behind that of products for conventional farming.

[0004] Known examples in the art include fertilizer compositions containing humic acids and amino acids based on the positive list of the EU Organic Farming Regulation. These basic formulations are then supplemented with appropriate nitrogen sources, phosphates, and metal salts to meet the specific nutrient requirements the fertilizer is intended to fulfill. However, even these fertilizers do not achieve the same level of effectiveness as specialized conventional fertilizers.

[0005] CN 107 698 334 A discloses a solid, water-soluble fertilizer composition for apples and a process for its production. It contains, among other things, biological-organic carbon powder with a particle size of 1 µm - 3 µm and algae extract.

[0006] US 5,876,479 A discloses a fertilizer composition and a process for its manufacture. It contains, among other things, crude proteins based on fish protein, blood extract and feather meal, as well as humic acid and algae.

[0007] WO 2016 / 038 460 A2 discloses microbial compositions for the biostimulation of plants for seed germination and plant growth, and a method for their production. They are based on bacteria, fungi, algae and / or microorganisms and may contain, for example, humic acids, algal extracts and hydrolyzed protein.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to develop a method for producing a fertilizer that offers improved effectiveness, but still meets the approval criteria for organic farming and is easy to produce.

[0009] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the dependent claims.

[0010] The fertilizer produced using the inventive method is characterized by the fact that, in addition to the humic acids and amino acids already known from the prior art for the basic formulation, it also contains an extract of seaweed and citric acid.

[0011] The exact mechanism is not yet fully understood. However, the citric acid not only reacts with the other components of the base formula but also complexes the metal cations of the nutrients. Surprisingly, this means that the fertilizer, and especially its metal cations, are not washed deeper into the soil as quickly by rain and irrigation water, but remain available to the plant on the leaves and roots for a longer period. Nevertheless, the immobilization is not so strong as to hinder the uptake and release of the nutrients by the plant. As a result, the nutrients are very beneficial to the plant, so less fertilizer is needed to achieve the same effect as with conventional plant nutrition. The plant is also stimulated to absorb nutrients from the soil through its roots.Other benefits include promoting root formation, increasing plant yield, reducing soil fatigue, strengthening the epidermis of the leaves, improving plant vitality, and increasing seed germination capacity.

[0012] Humic acids provide soil organisms with the essential building blocks necessary for their survival and activity. This particularly stimulates soil life and improves soil health, tilth, and gas exchange. Humic acids also promote plant growth. Consequently, the cultivated plant is holistically strengthened against negative external influences. Humic acids act as soil improvers, biocatalysts, and biostimulants for plants. Another advantage of humic acids is their long-lasting effect. They do not degrade as quickly as, for example, manure or compost. With manure or compost, microorganisms rapidly mineralize the organic matter in the soil, while simultaneously producing less humic substance. Humic acids increase the soil's buffering capacity.

[0013] Seaweed contributes to the nutrition and strengthening of cultivated plants. The natural nutrients it contains, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, carbohydrates, fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D3, E, and K, phytohormones, and auxins, promote the regulation of metabolic processes and root development, increase the biological activity of the soil, and enhance the plants' ability to utilize soil nutrients. Seaweed boosts defenses and resistance against parasites, fungal diseases, and soil-borne pathogens, increases frost resistance, acts as a barrier against evaporation, and improves the quality and storage stability of harvested products.

[0014] By combining these components through reaction and complexation with citric acid, it has been possible to advantageously combine their properties. Surprisingly, the reaction of citric acid with the amino acids and humic acids, and the complexation of the metal ions, which leads to the formation of larger molecular structures, neither impairs the functionality of the components nor hinders their uptake by the plant and thus the availability of nutrients to the plant.

[0015] The inventive process for producing a fertilizer for organic farming comprises, in the specified sequence, the following steps: placing water in a container with a mixing device, adding one or more humic acids and an algae extract, adding citric acid, and adding an aqueous solution of one or more plant amino acids. During the addition of the individual substances, the contents of the container are continuously mixed. The next substances are added only after the previous addition has dissolved and / or a homogeneous mixture has formed. Finally, a reaction period takes place with further mixing.

[0016] The reaction time is preferably 12-72 h, preferably 24-48 h, particularly preferably 36-48 h. After this time, a homogeneous and storage-stable liquid fertilizer is obtained.

[0017] According to the invention, organic and / or mineral plant nutrients are added after the addition of citric acid and before the addition of amino acids.

[0018] Mixing is preferably carried out using a rotor / stator mixer, in particular a jet mixer. These are capable of thoroughly mixing and homogenizing the entire contents of the container, while largely preventing the introduction of air into the solution. Rotational speeds of 2,400 to 3,600 rpm are used. -1 preferably 2,500 - 2,800 min -1 used. A speed of at least 2,600 rpm is particularly recommended. -1 With a rotor diameter of preferably 115 mm, which allows operation even through a container bung hole, this results in peripheral rotor speeds of 14 - 21 m / s.

[0019] Plant nutrients are required by plants in varying amounts. Therefore, a distinction is made between macronutrients, also called main nutrients, and micronutrients, also called trace nutrients. Macronutrients include, for example, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, and calcium. Depending on the nutrient, crops require approximately 20–350 kg / ha of these nutrients until harvest. Micronutrients, which include, for example, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and zinc, require only about 5–1,000 g / ha. The plant nutrients used in the fertilizer produced according to the inventive process are preferably in the form of soft rock phosphate, metal citrates, metal sulfates, metal molybdates, metal oxychlorides, metal oxides, and metal carbonates. Soft rock phosphate, metal citrates, alkali molybdates, and metal sulfates are particularly preferred.

[0020] Calcium propionate is also preferably added to the fertilizer. This is done either together with the addition of the organic and / or mineral plant nutrients, or after the addition of the citric acid and before the addition of the amino acids, if no further plant nutrients are added.

[0021] In preferred embodiments of the process according to the invention, the ratio of humic acids : amino acids is from 0.25 : 1 to 20 : 1 (wt / wt) based on the dry masses of the substances used.

[0022] Furthermore, the ratio of humic acids : algae extract is preferably from 0.7 : 1 to 4 : 1 (wt / wt) based on the dry mass of the substances used.

[0023] Furthermore, it is preferred if the ratio of humic acids : citric acid is from 0.3 : 1 to 6 : 1 (wt / wt) based on the dry masses of the substances used.

[0024] The ratio of citric acid to metal cations of plant nutrients is most preferably between 0.2 : 1 and 180 : 1 (mol / mol).

[0025] The algae extract preferably consists of brown algae and / or red algae, in particular the varieties Ascophyllum nodosum, Laminaria and / or Chondrus crispus. The algae extract is preferably obtained by cold pressing the live algae and can subsequently be concentrated by dehydration.

[0026] A fertilizer for organic farming produced according to the inventive process comprises one or more humic acids, an algal extract, citric acid, and one or more plant-based amino acids. The humic acids are preferably obtained from long-term extraction of grape pomace, humus, lignite, or leonardite. The amino acids are preferably obtained from the enzymatic or physical digestion of plant materials with a high protein content, such as rice, sugar cane, soybeans, sweet peas, wheat, or legumes in general.

[0027] According to the invention, the fertilizer produced by the process according to the invention also contains organic and / or mineral plant nutrients. The plant nutrients are preferably used in the form of soft rock phosphate, metal citrates, metal sulfates, metal molybdates, metal oxychlorides, metal oxides, and metal carbonates. Soft rock phosphate, metal citrates, alkali molybdates, and metal sulfates are particularly preferred. The metal cations are preferably selected from potassium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc.

[0028] In an advantageous composition of the fertilizer produced according to the inventive process, the citric acid content is at least 0.8 wt.%, in particular 0.8 - 10.0 wt.%, preferably 1.0 - 5.0 wt.%, particularly preferably 1.5 - 4.0 wt.%.

[0029] Furthermore, it is preferable if the nitrogen content of the fertilizer is introduced exclusively via the plant amino acids.

[0030] The following describes, by way of example, the production of various fertilizers. These examples are not intended to be limiting; they merely serve to illustrate the process according to the invention. Example 1

[0031] In this example, a basic fertilizer with a nitrogen content of 3% by weight was produced without any further addition of plant nutrients.

[0032] In a container equipped with an Ika-Werke UTC150 / KD rotor / stator mixer, 296 kg of water at room temperature were placed. The mixer was then run at 2,600 rpm. -1The process was started and 330 kg of humic acid solution from grape pomace and 100 kg of algae concentrate from cold-pressed Laminaria algae were added and homogenized. The humic acid content of the humic acid solution was 51.3% by weight and the dry content of the algae concentrate was 51.4% by weight.

[0033] Then, 30 kg of citric acid were dissolved in the mixture. Next, 2 kg of calcium propionate were added and stirred until dissolved and a homogeneous mixture was formed. Finally, 330 kg of an aqueous solution of plant amino acids was added to the mixture. This solution is a hydrolysate of soy, corn, rice, and wheat with an amino acid content of 2.57% by weight.

[0034] The resulting fertilizer mixture was then mixed further at room temperature for a reaction time of 36 hours. Example 2

[0035] In this example, analogous to Example 1, a pure nitrogen fertilizer with a nitrogen content of 9% by weight was produced.

[0036] In a container equipped with an Ika-Werke UTC150 / KD rotor / stator mixer, 520 kg of water at room temperature were placed. The mixer was then run at 2,500 rpm. -1 The process was started and 10 kg of humic acid solution from grape pomace and 5 kg of algae concentrate from cold-pressed Laminaria algae were added and homogenized.

[0037] Then, 10 kg of citric acid were dissolved in the mixture. Next, 2 kg of calcium propionate were added and stirred until dissolved and a homogeneous mixture was formed. Finally, 640 kg of an aqueous solution of plant amino acids were added to the mixture.

[0038] The resulting fertilizer mixture was then mixed further at room temperature for a reaction time of 38 hours. Example 3

[0039] In this example, a fertilizer of type NPK 6-2-2 was produced, i.e., a fertilizer which, according to the usual notation, has a nitrogen content of 6 wt.%, a phosphorus content of 2 wt.% and a potassium content of 2 wt.%.

[0040] 170 kg of water were placed in a container equipped with a Ystral flow mixer. The mixer was then run at 2,400 rpm. -1 The process was started, and 40 kg of humic acid solution from grape pomace and 10 kg of algae concentrate from a mixture of cold-pressed Ascophyllum nodosum and Chondrus crispus algae were added and homogenized. The dry matter content of the algae concentrate was again 40% by weight.

[0041] Then, 10 kg of citric acid were dissolved in the mixture. Next, 25 kg of a solution of soft rock phosphate with a dry matter content of 30%, 100 kg of vegetable potassium sulfate, 2 kg of calcium propionate, and 1 kg each of magnesium sulfate, manganese sulfate monohydrate, anhydrous iron(II) sulfate, and zinc sulfate heptahydrate were added. The mixture was stirred until the solids had dissolved. Finally, 825 kg of a solution of vegetable amino acids were added to the mixture.

[0042] The resulting fertilizer mixture was then mixed further at room temperature for a reaction time of 24-36 hours. Example 4

[0043] In this example, a fertilizer of type Fe 7 was produced, i.e., a fertilizer that has an iron content of 7 wt.%.

[0044] 400 kg of water were placed in a container equipped with a Ystral flow mixer. The mixer was then run at 2,600 rpm. -1 The process was started and 153 kg of humic acid solution from grape pomace and 20 kg of algae concentrate from cold-pressed Laminaria algae were added and homogenized.

[0045] Then, 50 kg of citric acid were dissolved in the mixture. Next, 2 kg of calcium propionate and 700 kg of anhydrous iron(II) sulfate were added. The mixture was stirred until the solids were completely dissolved. Finally, 160 kg of a solution of plant amino acids was added to the mixture.

[0046] The resulting fertilizer mixture was then mixed further at room temperature for a reaction time of 42 hours. Cultural experiment

[0047] Using the fertilizers from Examples 2 and 3, a comparative cultivation trial was conducted with a commercially available liquid fertilizer for organic farming. The comparison product was Biovin 6-2-2 from Biovin Naturprodukte. Lavender of the variety 'Hidcote Blue' (Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Blue') was sown in size V 11 pots containing three different commercially available organic substrates, each with 50% peat substitute and a base application rate of 4 kg / m². 3 The substrate contained horn meal fertilizer. Twenty-five plants were planted per square meter and, starting in the second week, were watered a total of 45 times using an ebb and flow irrigation system. Fertilization was applied uniformly to meet a calculated nitrogen requirement of 500 mg per plant. Fig. Figure 1 shows a photograph of the plants at the end of the eleven-week trial period. The nine plants shown correspond to the following matrix:

[0048] The plant diameter, the number of flowering shoots, and the fresh weight of the plants were examined. The results are summarized in the following table. plant Diameter [cm] Shoots with flowers [-] Fresh weight [g] Plant 1 19,4 (± 1,7) 5,2 (± 1,6) 49,3 (± 4,2) Plant 2 20,3 (± 1,6) 6,3 (± 1,4) 55,9 (± 5,8) Plant 3 18,9 (± 1,7) 4,9 (± 2,1) 43,8 (± 6,2) Plant 4 17,8 (± 1,1) 4,6 (± 1,9) 42,6 (± 4,4) Plant 5 19,3 (± 2,0) 5,1 (± 2,3) 48,5 (± 8,4) Plant 6 18,9 (± 1,6) 5,4 (± 1,7) 43,4 (± 5,4) Plant 7 17,9 (± 1,5) 4,1 (± 1,5) 38,7 (± 5,7) Plant 8 19,2 (± 2,0) 3,9 (± 2,7) 41,9 (± 10,2) Plant 9 18,2 (± 1,6) 2,6 (± 1,3) 33,7 (± 6,8)

[0049] As can be seen, the plants fertilized with the nitrogen fertilizer from Example 2 show the highest fresh weight and also the greatest number of shoots with flowers. Even the plants fertilized with the fertilizer from Example 3, despite having approximately the same plant diameter, still show a higher fresh weight and a greater number of shoots with flowers than the commercial comparison product. The best results were consistently achieved with substrate 2, which can be explained by the fact that, despite the same addition of horn meal fertilizer, it had a significantly higher soluble nitrogen content at the start of the experiment than the other two substrates.

Claims

[1] Method for producing a fertilizer for organic farming comprising, in the order given, the steps a) Placing water in a container with a mixing device; b) Addition of one or more humic acids and an algae extract; c) Addition of citric acid; d) Addition of an aqueous solution of one or more plant amino acids, wherein steps b) to d) and a subsequent reaction time take place under continuous mixing, and between steps c) and d) in an additional step e) organic and / or mineral plant nutrients are added. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the plant nutrients are selected from soft rock phosphate, metal citrates, metal sulfates, metal molybdates, metal oxychlorides, metal oxides and metal carbonates. [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the mixing with a rotor / stator mixer, in particular a guide jet mixer, and at a speed of 2,400 - 3,600 min -1 preferably 2,500 - 2,800 min -1 , preferably at least 2,600 min -1 This has been done. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the reaction time is 12-72 h, preferably 24-48 h, particularly preferably 36-48 h. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that calcium propionate is added between step c) and d) or in step e). [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ratio of humic acids : amino acids is from 0.25 : 1 to 20 : 1 (wt / wt based on dry mass). [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ratio of humic acids : algae extract is from 0.7 : 1 to 4 : 1 (wt / wt based on dry mass). [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ratio of humic acids : citric acid is from 0.3 : 1 to 6 : 1 (wt / wt based on the dry mass). [9] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ratio of citric acid : metal cations of plant nutrients is from 0.2 : 1 to 180 : 1 (mol / mol). [10] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the algae extract consists of brown algae and / or red algae, in particular Ascophyllum nodosum, Laminaria and / or Chondrus crispus.

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