Method for producing soil conditioner and soil conditioner produced by said method

Abstract

A method for producing a granular soil conditioner based on a mixture of biochar and organic fertilizer comprises the following steps: - mixing biochar with animal waste in a ratio of 0.1-0.4 parts by weight of waste dry matter to 1 part by weight of biochar and adding to this substrate a mixture of soil bacteria belonging to at least two of the following genera: Rhizobium, Azospirillum or Azotobacter nitrifying bacteria, Pseudomonas and Bacillus; - supplementing the bacteria-containing substrate with water up to twice the weight of the bacteria-containing substrate and fermenting the mixture for at least 5 days; - pouring in an excess of water and drying the bacterial substrate so that the moisture content is less than 20% by weight; - adding to the substrate-bacteria compound a mixture of fungal spores including at least two species from the groups Trichoderma, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi in a total amount corresponding to 0.2-1% by weight of the dry matter weight of the substrate-bacteria compound.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a means for improving soil properties and for fertilizing and supplementing plants. [Background technology]

[0002] Most of the agricultural land is cultivated intensively to maximize crop yields without any concern for soil health. Heavy use of mineral fertilizers and plant protection products has caused a large loss of soil micro- and macro-organisms, despite the irreplaceable role of microorganisms in naturally fertilizing the soil. As a result of the lack of soil organisms, cultivated plants are completely dependent on artificial fertilizers.

[0003] The application of mineral fertilisers is associated with a negative impact on the physical properties of the soil due to the frequent and repeated use of agricultural machinery in the fields. The soil layers become compacted. This negatively affects the ability of rainwater to infiltrate the soil, leading to extensive water erosion.

[0004] This unfavourable tendency in agricultural practices can be reversed by adopting gentler agricultural practices that provide the soil with organic matter to provide energy for soil microorganisms and materials that improve soil structure, preferably materials that can be applied using standard agricultural techniques used in intensive agriculture.

[0005] Microgranular fertilizers have been commonly used in agriculture since the second half of the 20th century. They allow more precise nutrient application and better use of soil protection products and other pesticides, leading to more efficient crop establishment. Modern tillage techniques allow microgranular fertilizers to be delivered at virtually any and precise distance from the seed - even directly to the seed in the seedbed. This increases the efficiency of the use of the active substance. The interaction of the seed with the fertilizer induces a "starter effect" early in the growing season, which allows the future crop to rapidly develop a strong root system. This allows the crop to better utilize spring moisture, rapidly increase leaf area and suppress competing weeds. Granular fertilizers increase crop yields and reduce the costs of weed suppression applications.

[0006] The production of microgranular fertilizers uses minerals such as sepiolite as base substances, which are raw materials derived from non-renewable natural resources. Their production is energy intensive. However, the question remains whether the nutrients contained in such microgranular fertilizers can be utilized for plant nutrition.

[0007] Biochar is a type of biomass that has been reduced to charcoal. It is used, among other biomass, as a soil conditioner to improve the physical properties and natural fertility of soil. Biochar is usually obtained by thermal reduction of biomass at temperatures between 450 and 800 °C. Its composition varies depending on the source material. Biochar usually contains 50-90% by weight of stable carbon and, in addition to carbon, about 1% by weight of phosphorus, 2% by weight of potassium, 6% by weight of calcium, and 1.5% by weight of magnesium.

[0008] The use of biochar as a soil conditioner and as part of a granular fertilizer is known in the art.

[0009] CN105646047 discloses a water and steam impermeable biochar-based compound fertilizer and its preparation method. The granular fertilizer is composed of the following components expressed in parts by weight: 15 parts by weight of biochar powder, 30 parts by weight of urea, 30 parts by weight of monoammonium phosphate, 22 parts by weight of potassium sulfate, and 20-30 parts by weight of water, as well as up to 1 part by weight of a binder containing gelatinous starch. The desirable property of the fertilizer, i.e. the gradual penetration of nutrients into the soil, is imparted by the binder, which has the properties of a potting compound. The biochar content is relatively low, and its ability to slowly release absorbed inorganic nutrients into the soil is not utilized.

[0010] China Patent Publication No. 112390691 discloses a soil conditioner consisting of bamboo charcoal powder and organic fertilizer, where the weight ratio of bamboo charcoal powder to organic fertilizer is 1:2.4-1:14. There is no mention of the method of combining the two main raw materials or soil microorganisms.

[0011] China Patent Publication No. 107573163 describes an acid soil conditioner for plant nutrient supplementation, which is composed of a mixture of a base material and an auxiliary material, the base material being composed of 45-65 parts by weight of brewing malt, 40-60 parts by weight of peat soil, 40-50 parts by weight of Chinese herbal medicine residue, 35-45 parts by weight of soybean meal powder, 30-40 parts by weight of wheat straw powder, 25-35 parts by weight of edible fungi residues, 24-36 parts by weight of pineapple paste, 20-30 parts by weight of apple paste, 15-25 parts by weight of silkworm excreta, 10-16 parts by weight of proteolytic enzyme, 4-8 parts by weight of azotobacter, 5-9 parts by weight of rhizobia, 4-6 parts by weight of potassium decomposing bacteria, 6-8 parts by weight of cellulose decomposing bacteria, 4-6 parts by weight of antibiotic producing bacteria, and 60-80 parts by weight of water for mixing and fermenting the above ingredients. The fermentation process is not defined. Then, auxiliary materials are added, namely 40-60 parts by weight of earthworm waste, 25-35 parts by weight of biochar residue, 20-30 parts by weight of urea, 18-28 parts by weight of plant ash, 10-20 parts by weight of lime powder, 10-20 parts by weight of urea-iron complex, and 10-20 parts by weight of chelated zinc. The above complex contains a large amount of defined types of organic matter and bacteria, which are co-fermented.

[0012] Since this mixture, apart from the bacteria, contains only labile organic matter, it is not possible for either the nutrients or the colonizing bacteria to be fixed during fermentation into a fixed structure that would allow the nutrients and bacteria to bind or colonize the root system. Also, at least in some instances, the components used are generally difficult to obtain or require large energy inputs. Also, the carbon contribution from the biomass is small, so no improvement in soil structure can be expected from the application of this amendment.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a bio-based organic fertilizer in the form of microgranules that are slowly released and ensure the bioavailability of organic nutrients from the early stages of plant development, not only to promote the growth of vegetation at the early stages, but also to allow the microgranule fertilizer to largely replace basic fertilizer supply.

[0014] Disclosure of the Invention The subject of the present invention is a method for producing a granular soil conditioner based on a mixture of biochar and organic fertilizer, in which the conditioner is endowed with bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi and myco-parasitic fungus. The method comprises the following steps: - mixing biochar obtained by thermal reduction of plant biomass or animal bones with animal waste in a weight ratio of 1 part by weight of biochar to 0.1-0.4 parts by weight of dry waste, and adding to this substrate a mixture of soil bacteria including at least two of the following genera: Bacteria of the genus Rhizobium, Nitrifying bacteria of the genus Azospirillum or Azotobacter, Pseudomonas bacteria, Bacillus genus bacteria, These dry weights contain 10 colony-forming units (CFU). 9 The concentration is 0.2-0.5% of the dry matter weight in the substrate; - supplementing the bacteria-containing substrate with water up to twice the weight of the bacteria-containing substrate and allowing the mixture to ferment for at least 5 days; - then draining off the excess water and drying the substrate containing the bacteria until the moisture content is reduced to less than 20% by weight, after which a mixture of fungal spores belonging to at least two representatives of the groups Trichoderma, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Ectomycorrhizal fungi is added to the substrate mixture containing the bacteria in a total amount corresponding to 0.2-1% by weight relative to the dry matter weight of the substrate mixture containing the bacteria; - mixing the compound thus prepared thoroughly.

[0015] Preferably, a mixture of soil bacteria of the genera Azospirillum or Azotobacter and Bacillus may be added to the substrate, where a mixture of mycoparasitic fungi such as Trichoderma or Pythium, and arbuscular fungi such as Glomus, or ectomycorrhizal fungal spores such as Pisolithus, Scleroderma, or Rhizopogon are added to the substrate-bacteria mixture. Alternatively, fungi that form ericoid mycorrhizae with heather plants are added.

[0016] Particularly preferred is a method in which a mixture of soil bacteria is added to the substrate in the following weight ratio: 25% Rhizobium spp. 25% nitrifying bacteria of the genus Azospirillum or Azotobacter, 25% Pseudomonas spp., 25% Bacillus bacteria. Here, the bacteria-containing substrate is supplemented, then fermented with the same weight of water as the bacteria-containing substrate, and a mixture of fungal spores is added to the bacteria-containing substrate mixture in the following weight ratio: 50% arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, 25% ectomycorrhizal fungi, and 25% mycoparasitic fungi such as Trichoderma.

[0017] Preferably, 0.1 to 0.3 parts by weight of mineral fertilizer may be supplemented to the substrate.

[0018] To prepare the granular conditioner, starch in an amount of 4-6% based on the dry weight of the substrate-bacteria mixture is mixed with water at boiling temperature, the starch suspension is cooled and then added to the substrate-bacteria mixture, and the mixture is granulated in a granulator to form granules with a diameter of 1-5 mm.

[0019] The object is also achieved by a soil conditioner based on a mixture of biochar produced by any of the above methods and an organic fertilizer, the soil conditioner consisting of a mixture of soil bacteria belonging to at least three of the following groups: Rhizobium, Azospirillum or Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus, and further comprising a mixture of fungal spores belonging to at least three of the following groups: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, ectomycorrhizal fungi, and mycoparasitic fungi.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the modifier is in the form of granules containing starch as binder.

[0021] Due to the presence of biochar, the amendment acts as a soil conditioner, contributing to water and air management and improving soil structure. An important component of the amendment is the soil biota in the form of rhizobacteria belonging to several lineages that fix atmospheric nitrogen, make organic nutrients available to plants and protect them against pests and stresses. In addition to bacteria, the amendment also contains spores of mycorrhizal fungi that live symbiotically with the plant roots. The spores of mycorrhizal fungi extract carbon from the plant roots and in return provide nutrients in an optimally usable form. Both of these components of the soil biota ensure the restoration of natural soil fertility and effectively allow reducing or completely avoiding the addition of artificial fertilizers. The amendment contributes synergistically to carbon sequestration with the use of biochar, making it a tool for the so-called "pyrogenic carbon capture and storage". The carbon contained in biochar was originally part of CO2 molecules in the air, which was decomposed during the photosynthesis process and stored in the plant's body, and biochar was obtained from the biomass of this plant.

[0022] The results of spraying the modifier made according to the method of the present invention are shown in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] Graph showing the results of incubation vessel experiments conducted with samples of improvers prepared according to the methods described in the Examples below. [Diagram 2] Graph showing mycorrhizal development in wheat root systems when these samples were applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Example 1 Biochar obtained by thermal reduction of coniferous wood at 550℃ was crushed to obtain particles with diameters of 1-15 mm. For the production of fertilizer, a mixture of the following composition by weight was prepared as described above: - 1 part by weight of biochar - 0.2 parts by weight of vermicompost eluate concentrate (Vermi-tea) - 0.02 parts by weight of a mixture of equal parts by weight of bacteria of the genera Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus - 0.05 parts by weight of Glomus species spores (50%) and Trichoderma species spores (50%). The mixture of biochar, vermicompost (worm waste), and bacteria was supplemented with water in a weight ratio of 1:1.5 and fermented for 7 days. The excess water was then drained off, cooled, and a suspension of 0.1 parts by weight of starch mixed with boiling water in a weight ratio of 1:1 and mycorrhizal fungal spores were added. After thorough mixing, the mixture was granulated in a granulation press to obtain granules with a diameter of 3 mm. The sample was labeled "MicroCHAR+Vermitea".

[0025] Example 2 Biochar obtained by thermal reduction of coniferous wood at 550℃ was crushed to obtain particles with diameters of 1-15 mm. For the production of fertilizer, a mixture of the following composition by weight was prepared as described above: - 1 part by weight of biochar - 0.4 parts by weight of dry poultry waste - 0.02 parts by weight of a mixture of equal parts by weight of bacteria of the genera Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus - 0.05 parts by weight of Glomus species spores (50%) and Trichoderma species spores (50%). The mixture of biochar, poultry waste, and bacteria was supplemented with water in a weight ratio of 1:1.5 and fermented for 7 days. The excess water was then drained off, cooled, and a suspension of 0.1 parts by weight of starch mixed with boiling water in a weight ratio of 1:1 and mycorrhizal fungal spores were added. After thorough mixing, the mixture was granulated in a granulator press to obtain granules with a diameter of 3 mm. The samples were labeled "MicroCHAR Organic".

[0026] Example 3 Biochar obtained by thermal reduction of coniferous wood at 550℃ was crushed to obtain particles with diameters of 1-15 mm. For the production of fertilizer, a mixture of the following composition by weight was prepared as described above: - 1 part by weight of biochar - 0.2 parts by weight of dried poultry waste - 0.2 parts by weight of ammonium phosphate ((NH4)3PO4) - 0.02 parts by weight of a mixture of equal parts by weight of bacteria of the genera Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus - 0.05 parts by weight of Glomus sp. spores (50%) and Trichoderma sp. spores (50%) The mixture of biochar, poultry waste, and bacteria was supplemented with water in a weight ratio of 1:1.5 and fermented for 7 days. Afterwards, the excess water was drained and 0.2 parts by weight of ammonium phosphate was added. After cooling, a suspension of 0.1 parts by weight of starch mixed with boiling water in a weight ratio of 1:1 and mycorrhizal fungal spores was added. After thorough mixing, the mixture was granulated in a granulator press to obtain granules with a diameter of 3 mm. The sample was labeled "MicroCHAR Mineral".

[0027] To evaluate the effect of biochar alone in the amendment, the soil amendment was prepared in the following manner: Biochar obtained by thermal reduction of coniferous wood at 550℃ was crushed to obtain particles with sizes ranging from 1 to 15 mm. For the production of fertilizer, a mixture of the following composition by weight was prepared as described above: - 1 part by weight of biochar - 0.02 parts by weight of a mixture of equal parts by weight of bacteria of the genera Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus - 0.05 parts by weight of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores (50%) and Trichoderma spores (50%). After cooling, a suspension of 0.2 parts by weight of starch mixed with boiling water in a weight ratio of 1:1.5 and mycorrhizal fungal spores were added. The resulting mixture was then granulated in a granulation press to obtain granules with a diameter of 3 mm. The sample was labeled "MicroCHAR".

[0028] The amendment samples prepared by the above methods were then tested in the laboratory by both the Mehlich III certified method and incubation vessel experiments to determine nutrient availability. The Mehlich III method is a certified method for sampling substance contents in soils according to Annex 2 of Legislative Decree No. 275 / 1998.

[0029] Tests using the Mehlich III method gave the results shown in Tables 1 and 2:

[0030] [Table 1]

[0031] [Table 2]

[0032] Afterwards, incubation experiments were carried out in which the amendments prepared according to Example 1 were introduced into the test vessels together with the two problematic soils. See the graphs in Figure 1. Each graph shows the uptake of each nutrient from the two soils. The figures compare the results of the amendment-added and control soil samples. Two problematic soils were used, which have a low retention capacity and a reduced nutrient content due to a lack of organic matter. These soils are respectively an agricultural soil from the Polabi region called Rego soil (sand content > 2 mm ≒ 85%) and a forest soil (mineral horizon) obtained around the Jevany Municipality.

[0033] The x-axis in each graph represents the date of measurement, the y-axis represents the mass of each element N, P, and K collected from the soil between measurements, and DOC is the amount of dissolved carbon. The lines with filled circles represent soil samples with amendments, and the lines with open circles represent control samples.

[0034] The cumulative extraction results for each nutrient show that over the two-month incubation period, approximately 8 times more nitrogen and potassium were extracted, 11 times more N, and 15 times more K in the treated agricultural rego soil and the treated forest soil. Phosphorus increased by 30 times in the rego soil and 98 times in the forest soil. Other macronutrients increased by 2 to 12 times.

[0035] The amendments were further tested in the 2021 season in the form of field trials. Applications on spring wheat and maize were tested in three replicates for each crop with different fertilizers (MicroCHAR mineral, MicroCHAR organic, and MicroCHAR). Amendments were always applied at the time of sowing at a rate of 80 kg per hectare. No fertilizers or protectants were applied during the vegetation period.

[0036] TIFF2025505890000003.tif131158

[0037] In organic cultivation, plant dry matter yield and grain yield of all investigated fertilizer types were at high yield levels.

[0038] Fertilizers were also analyzed to determine levels of key elements, and soils were analyzed after harvest to determine changes in available nutrient content. Soil organic carbon content increased significantly after MicroCHAR mineral application, and the soil was found to contain high levels of all forms of nitrogen. The MicroCHAR organic type, in turn, provided the soil with greater amounts of available potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Compared to untreated controls, soil availability of most key nutrients increased after the growing season.

[0039] Furthermore, the available nutrient content of the amendment samples was investigated in comparison with the state after percolation, a process in which a solvent is continuously passed through the sample on a filter.

[0040] For quantitative analysis of KA2, 2 g of fertilizers (MicroCHAR, MicroCHAR mineral+, MicroCHAR organic+) were placed on a filter paper, and 10 mL of solvent (distilled water) was slowly poured onto the filter paper to extract the material from the sample, which was then poured into a 15 mL container.

[0041] TIFF2025505890000004.tif69168

[0042] After application of MicroCHAR mineral fertilizer, the organic carbon content in the soil increased significantly. This fertilizer type contains high amounts of all forms of nitrogen and is a suitable nitrogen source. MicroCHAR organic fertilizer type contains high percentages of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. A combination of both fertilizer types seems ideal.

[0043] The final observed factor was the development of mycorrhizal colonization in the roots of treated crop plants. Mycorrhizal colonization is a method for determining the relative abundance of mycorrhizal fungi in microscopic preparations of plant roots.

[0044] Wheat roots grown in soil treated with amendments were prepared according to standard procedures. Magnification was 400x to visualize the stained roots spread on a microscope slide. Fields showing mycorrhizal formation (arbuscules, vesicles, mycorrhizal hyphae) in the roots were considered positive. To evaluate the results, the significance or p-value method was used - see https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / P-value -. The colonization results obtained from the control samples were assigned a p-value of 0.05 (5%). The amount and frequency of mycorrhizal formation detected in all three fertilizer types compared were evaluated by the so-called chi-square test using mathematical R language software. The mycorrhizal development in the root systems of wheat grown in soils treated with amendments is shown in Figure 2.

[0045] All three samples showed a significant increase in root colonization. The MicroCHAR organic fertilizer application performed best. However, all three fertilizers tested showed a significant increase in symbiosis with the natural mycorrhizal community in the field soil compared to the control.

Claims

1. A method for producing a granular soil conditioner based on a mixture of biochar and organic fertilizer, which is provided with bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi and mycoparasitic fungi, comprising the steps of: - mixing biochar obtained by thermal reduction of plant biomass or animal bones with animal waste in a weight ratio of 0.1 to 0.4 parts by weight of dry waste to 1 part by weight of biochar, and mixing this substrate with a compound of soil bacteria comprising at least two species from the following groups: Bacteria of the genus Rhizobium, Nitrifying bacteria of the genus Azospirillum or Azotobacter, Pseudomonas bacteria, Bacillus genus bacteria, These dry weights are colony forming units (CFU) 10 9 at a concentration of 0.2-0.5% of the dry matter weight in the substrate; - supplementing the bacteria-containing substrate with water up to twice the weight of the bacteria-containing substrate and allowing the mixture to ferment for at least 5 days; - draining off excess water and drying the substrate containing the bacteria so that the moisture content is less than or equal to 20% by weight and adding a mixture of fungal spores containing at least two species from the group Trichoderma, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Ectomycorrhizal fungi to the substrate-bacteria mixture in a total amount corresponding to 0.2-1% of the dry matter weight of the substrate-bacteria mixture; - thoroughly mixing the mixture thus prepared.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that a mixture of soil bacteria of the genera Azospirillum or Azotobacter and Bacillus is added to the substrate, and a mixture of fungal spores of mycoparasitic fungi such as Trichoderma or Pythium, and arbuscular fungi such as Glomus, or ectomycorrhizal fungi such as Pisolithus, Scleroderma, or Rhizopogon, or fungi forming ericoid mycorrhizae is added to the substrate-bacteria mixture.

3. A mixture of soil bacteria was mixed in the following weight ratios: 25% of Rhizobium spp. 25% nitrifying bacteria of the genus Azospirillum or Azotobacter, 25% Pseudomonas spp. 25% Bacillus bacteria Add to the base material with The substrate containing the bacteria is supplemented with water in the same weight as the substrate containing the bacteria, and then fermented. A mixture of fungal spores is then added to the substrate containing the bacteria in the following weight ratios: 50% arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, 25% ectomycorrhizal fungi, and 25% mycoparasitic fungi such as Trichoderma.

2. The method of claim 1 .

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising adding 0.1 to 0.3 parts by weight of mineral fertilizer to the substrate.

5. 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that starch in an amount of 4 to 6% based on the dry matter weight of the substrate-bacteria mixture is mixed with water at boiling temperature, the starch suspension is cooled and then mixed with the bacteria-containing substrate, and the substrate-bacteria-starch-mycorrhizal fungus mixture is granulated in a granulator to form granules with a diameter of 1 to 5 mm.

6. A soil conditioner based on a mixture of biochar and organic fertilizer produced by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it contains a mixture of soil bacteria comprising at least three species from the following groups: Rhizobia, Azospirillum or Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus, and further contains a mixture of fungal spores comprising at least three species from the following groups: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, ectomycorrhizal fungi, mycoparasitic fungi.

7. 7. The soil conditioner of claim 6, in the form of granules containing starch as a binder.

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