WATER STORAGE HYBRID FOR STABLE HUMUS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a long-lasting humus-water-retaining hybrid comprising an organic fertilizer made from oxidizing and ammoniazing treated lignite and at least one water-retaining component selected from materials of mineral or organic origin. The long-lasting humus-water-retaining hybrid is particularly suitable and intended as an additive for plant substrates.

[0002] Permanent humus is understood as organic matter that is difficult for microbes to decompose and is broken down only slowly. In the soil structure, permanent humus usually constitutes a large part of the organic matter (Schinner F, Sonnleitner R.: "Soil Ecology: Microbiology and Soil Enzymes Volume I: Fundamentals, Climate, Vegetation and Soil Type", Springer-Verlag, 1996, page 37, 2.3.5). Permanent humus consists largely of humic substances, i.e., humified organic substances that are difficult for microbes to decompose; permanent humus thus has a humic character. Humic substances include fulvic acids, hymatomelanic acids, humic acids, and humins (Fiedler, HJ and Reissig, H.: "Textbook of Soil Science", Gustav Fischer Verlag Jena, 1964, p. 174, point 4.423).

[0003] Inadequate water supply on sites with less cohesive or non-cohesive soils, i.e., soils with a relatively low clay / silt content (clay: particles < 2 µm, silt: 50% of particles between 0.002 and 0.063 mm) or a relatively high sand content (sand: defined as grains between 0.063 and 2 mm in diameter), can lead to problems for crop growth, manifesting as reduced growth performance, yield, and even plant death. In commercial agriculture and horticulture, particularly with crops, technical measures and interventions are necessary in these cases to partially or completely compensate for the water supply deficits.These expenses and measures include, among other things, the use of irrigation systems, which carry the risk of over- or under-watering, or indirect measures, such as elaborate shading systems, which either permanently reduce the incidence of light or must be controlled to ensure a sufficient yield.

[0004] A sustainable and long-term way to improve the water balance of plants in locations with less cohesive or non-cohesive soils is to increase the soil content of cohesive materials, i.e., clay and silt-containing materials or structure-improving organic substances such as manure, compost, and the like. However, this requires large quantities of such clay and silt materials or organic substances to be mixed into the soil or the substrates used. The natural availability of these cohesive materials, especially the organic substances, is sometimes limited, and their use in the required quantities is therefore associated with considerable costs.

[0005] There are a number of proposals for the technical production of products that have properties equivalent to permanent humus.

[0006] For example, DE 101 20 433 discloses a process in which young Tertiary soft lignite and clay and / or loam are combined in a specific mass ratio by means of a common, very intensive and prolonged wet extraction milling process to achieve the required macromolecular distribution. The water acts as a dispersant and simultaneously as a reaction mediator through its partial dissolving and swelling properties.

[0007] DE 198 25 168 proposes mixing raw lignite with various organic fertilizers such as compost, guano or mineral NPK fertilizers.

[0008] DE 10 2010 005 363 discloses a particulate carbon-based storage material that can absorb water, nutrients and microorganisms, in which an inorganic carbon component was produced by thermal treatment of coal and / or of natural and / or artificially produced organic compounds under exclusion of oxygen at high temperatures.

[0009] US patent 2014 / 0069001 discloses a pellet-form composition containing, for example, a seed, coconut fiber, cornflour, activated carbon, and an absorbent polymer. The composition may also contain, for example, clay or bentonite.

[0010] EP 0 561 508 discloses a fertilizer based on leonardite, in the production of which leonardite ore is ground and the ground leonardite ore particles are treated with an aqueous ammonia solution.

[0011] DE 0 870 565 discloses a process for the production of nitrogen-rich humus fertilizers by treating younger fossil fuels with air, ammonia and / or other ammonia-containing gases at elevated temperature and pressure, in which fuels with a very low water content of less than 30% are treated.

[0012] US patent 3,630,710 discloses a fertilizer containing nitrogen-enriched, partially oxidized organic material. The partially oxidized organic material can be either coal or grass, seaweed, etc.

[0013] WO 2016 / 116099 describes soil amendments intended to increase water retention capacity while simultaneously stimulating biological activity for the development of functional soil. The aim is to produce a simple product for use as an aqueous solution or as a substantially solid product to improve the soil-plant water balance. The product described in WO 2016 / 116099 is manufactured using a process in which a lignite component and / or a geological lignite precursor is digested with an acid, the acid is subsequently buffered with an alkali, the resulting intermediate product is filtered off, and fulvic acids are added at a weight fraction of at least 1% of the finished product. Bentonite, for example, may be added to the resulting mixture.

[0014] None of the aforementioned publications describes an organic fertilizer made from oxidizing and ammoniazing treated lignite, such as that used in the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid products according to the invention. Such products and a process for their production are provided in EP 1 144 342 (corresponding to WO 00 / 37394), and an improved process for their production is described later in WO 2017 / 186852. The products described therein are characterized by a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 7 to 15 or 9 to 15, respectively, whereby it is essential that the nitrogen, measured against the total nitrogen, is chemically bound differently, namely 20 to 45% of the nitrogen is present as ammonium nitrogen and 55 to 80% of the nitrogen as organically bound nitrogen.

[0015] Up to 20% of the total nitrogen is present as an amide, and up to 60% of the total nitrogen is tightly bound organically, meaning it cannot be hydrolyzed as an amide.

[0016] With a growing global population and a decreasing amount of arable land worldwide, feeding the population is becoming increasingly problematic in many regions. Improving soils that are otherwise poorly suited (with low yields) or not at all suitable for growing crops (and even ornamental plants) could alleviate this problem. Therefore, despite numerous attempts to provide beneficial soil improvers and fertilizers using state-of-the-art technology, there remains a need for an improved product that can be applied to soils and plants in a variety of ways and that leads to higher plant growth and yield in the long term than is possible with existing products.

[0017] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide such a product. When used as a plant substrate or as an additive for plant substrates and soil substrate additive, the product should lead to a significant improvement in yield, even on otherwise "poor" soils, and should also be cost-effective and producible on a large scale.

[0018] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a permanent humus-water storage hybrid comprising an organic fertilizer made from oxidizing and ammonia-treated lignite and at least one water-storing component selected from materials of mineral or organic origin, wherein the proportion of the organic fertilizer is 0.5–99.9 vol.%, preferably 1.0–90.0 vol.%, and the proportion of the at least one water-storing component is 0.1–99.5 vol.%, preferably 10.0–99.0 vol.%. The organic fertilizer made from oxidizing and ammonia-treated lignite is obtainable, for example, by a process as described in WO 00 / 37394 or WO 2017 / 186852, and thus in particular by a process comprising the following process steps: a) Conversion of lignite and aqueous ammonia solution with a pH greater than 9 to 12 into a suspension and alkaline activation of the suspension initially without the addition of an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent; b) Feeding the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent into the suspension of lignite and aqueous ammonia solution, whereby the oxidation takes place at a reaction temperature < 100°C and a pressure of 0.1-1 MPa; c) Concentration of the product suspension obtained in step b) to a dispersion in aqueous media or drying of the product suspension obtained in step b) to a dried product, without the addition of the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent, and final cooling, whereby an organic fertilizer is obtained.

[0019] Organic fertilizers produced in this way from oxidizing and ammonizing lignite have a C / N ratio of 7 to 15, and the nitrogen is chemically bound differently in relation to the total nitrogen. 20-45% is present as ammonium nitrogen, 55-80% is organically bound, and up to 20% of the total nitrogen is organically bound as amide and up to 60% is not hydrolyzable as amide.

[0020] Methods for determining the proportion of nitrogen present as ammonium nitrogen and the proportion of nitrogen present in organically bound forms, as well as the proportion of total nitrogen present as amides and the proportion that is organically bound and not hydrolyzable as amides, are readily known to those skilled in the art. A suitable method is described, inter alia, in WO 00 / 37394 (= EP 1 144 342), to which explicit reference is made in this context. Nitrogen bound in ammonium form is readily released as ammonia with magnesium oxide suspended in water, while the organic forms are more difficult to hydrolyze. The proportion of total nitrogen present in amide form can be hydrolyzed in the usual way with dilute sodium hydroxide solution under steam distillation conditions.The fraction of organically bound nitrogen that cannot be hydrolyzed under these experimental conditions is the fraction of the total organically bound nitrogen that cannot be hydrolyzed as an amide.

[0021] In addition to the aforementioned and known methods, any other methods that are familiar to the person skilled in the art due to their general expertise can also be used.

[0022] In the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention, the materials of mineral origin are selected from clay minerals, clay mineral-containing substances, perlites, phyllosilicates, clay, bentonite, hectorite, montmorillonite, vermiculite, zeolites, sepiolite, attapulgite, fired clay, expanded clay, expanded shale, volcanic ash, pumice, silica gel and smectites, and the materials of organic origin are selected from composts, decomposed manures, coal-like products, lignocellulose material, wood fibers, wood wool, coconut fibers, hemp fibers and flax fibers.

[0023] The permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention leads to a significant increase in plant growth and thus in yield, especially in soils that could otherwise only be cultivated with low yields.

[0024] According to the definition above, stable humus is an organic substance with humic properties that is difficult for microbes to decompose. Water storage refers to porous mineral, particularly clay mineral, and organic substances. According to the invention, a hybrid is a combination of the organic fertilizer and at least one water-storing component.

[0025] The permanent humus-water-storage hybrid contains, as its first component, an organic fertilizer made from oxidizing and ammonizing lignite. Due to its chemical properties and availability, lignite has long been of interest as a starting material for the production of substances or mixtures with fertilizing properties. The oxidizing and ammonizing treatment of lignite is a process known as "oxidative ammonolysis." Oxidative ammonolysis was described, for example, by Flaig et al. (1959) in "Conversion of lignin into humic acids during the decomposition of wheat straw," Chem. Ber., 92 8, 1973-1982.

[0026] Processes for producing organic fertilizer from oxidizing and ammoniazing treated lignite are disclosed, for example, in EP 1 144 342 A1 and in international patent application WO 2017 / 186852 (application number PCT / EP2017 / 060060). The organic fertilizer of the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid of the present invention has humic substance characteristics. Analogous to the humic substance character of permanent humus (see above), humic substance character with regard to the organic fertilizer of the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid of the present invention means that the organic fertilizer consists largely of humic substances. Humic substances include fulvic acids, hymatomelanic acids, humic acids, and humins (Fiedler, H.J. and Reissig, H.: "Lehrbuch der Bodenkunde", Gustav Fischer Verlag Jena, 1964, p. 174, item 4.423)."To a large extent with regard to the humic substance content" here means that the humic substances constitute the largest weight fraction of the organic fertilizer of the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid of the present invention in the dried state. For example, this means that the humic substances constitute > 50 wt.%, preferably > 60 wt.%, even more preferably > 70 wt.%, and particularly preferably > 80 wt.%, of the organic fertilizer of the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid of the present invention in the dried state.

[0027] The abbreviations "wt%" and "vol%", as used herein, stand for "weight percent" and "volume percent," respectively, and denote the volume or weight of a proportion relative to a total weight or volume. The specific proportion and the total weight or volume to which it relates will be indicated at the appropriate point in this description of the invention.

[0028] The application of organic fertilizer derived from oxidizing and ammonia-treated lignite alone improves the water utilization capacity of plants. However, it has been shown that this is insufficient for many applications, particularly when a long-term supply of water to plants is necessary during periods of drought. Surprisingly, it has now been demonstrated that combining the organic fertilizer with at least one water-retaining component, when applied to soils and substrates, synergistically improves the water balance and leads to a greater increase in yield than the organic fertilizer and the water-retaining component alone. For the purposes of this study, soils are defined as sections of the uppermost, living layer of the Earth's crust on land.In this context, substrates are understood to be all types of growing media, including natural soil, which is characterized by its specific soil type (Bernhard Berg: Grundwissen des Gärtners. Ulmer, Stuttgart 1976, pp. 198-206). Substrates also include substances that are used in containers (e.g., flowerpots) and in soil-independent applications (e.g., green roofs) or applied to soil (e.g., in planting holes). There, they serve as a root zone for plants (Association of Humus and Soil Management).

[0029] The permanent humus-water-retaining hybrids of the present invention are improved compared to known products. For example, they have a significantly higher humic acid content than the soil amendments of WO 2016 / 116099, and nitrogen is a structural component of the humic substance fraction. This has been shown to be of great importance for the biological availability of the nitrogen.

[0030] The permanent humus-water storage hybrid products according to the invention therefore have a temporally differentiated nitrogen release compared to known products, resulting in a long-term nitrogen effect. This leads to a significantly higher crop yield with the same or better fruit quality, achieved over a longer period, compared to prior art products.

[0031] According to the invention, water-retaining components are understood to be substances, particularly of a porous nature, that increase the water capacity of soils and substrates. Water-retaining components made of materials of mineral origin, within the meaning of the present invention, are porous mineral substances, in particular clay minerals (layer minerals). Water-retaining components made of materials of organic origin, within the meaning of the present invention, are porous organic substances such as composts, decomposed manure, or charcoal and their derivatives.

[0032] In the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention, the proportion of the organic fertilizer is 0.5-99.9 vol.%, preferably 1.0-95.0 vol.%, even more preferably 1.0-90.0 vol.%, and the proportion of the at least one water-storing component is 0.1-99.5 vol.%, preferably 5.0-99.0 vol.%, even more preferably 10.0-99.0 vol.%, each based on the total volume of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid.

[0033] The organic fertilizer, in combination with the water-retaining component, enables plants to utilize the water reserves in the substrate more efficiently. The use of the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid of the present invention results in an increase in the water utilization rate; that is, plants can generate a higher yield under deficient water conditions when using the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid than without it. Additionally, the water capacity of the substrate or soil is increased.

[0034] According to the present invention, the materials of mineral origin are to be selected from clay minerals, clay-containing substances, perlite, phyllosilicates, clay, bentonite, hectorite, montmorillonite, vermiculite, zeolites, sepiolite, attapulgite, fired clay, expanded clay, expanded shale, volcanic ash, pumice, silica gel, and smectites. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the materials of mineral origin are to be selected from bentonite, montmorillonite, clay, fired clay, expanded clay, and expanded shale. A phyllosilicate such as bentonite is particularly preferred as a material of mineral origin.

[0035] The bentonite used here contains > 50 wt.%, preferably 60-80 wt.%, montmorillonite and thus exhibits very good swelling capacity, which is based on the high internal surface area of ​​the phyllosilicate of 400-600 m² / g. The naturally occurring, milled form of bentonite is preferred, for example from the Landshut mining areas, which is distributed, for example, by S&B Industrial Minerals GmbH or Clariant.

[0036] According to the present invention, the water-retaining components are selected from materials of organic origin, including compost, decomposed manure, coal-like products, lignocellulose, wood fibers, wood wool, coconut fibers, hemp fibers, and flax fibers. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the materials of organic origin are compost, decomposed manure, and charcoal, and their derivatives. Compost is particularly preferred.

[0037] Compost is a humus- and nutrient-rich substance that is produced as an end product of composting organic waste and always has a solid consistency. Unlike fermentation, the biological processes in composting take place under the influence of atmospheric oxygen. In this context, it is also referred to as aerobic treatment or decomposition (Association of Humus and Soil Industry: www.vhe.de). The decomposed manures within the meaning of the present invention include, in particular, decomposed manure and dung (for example, cattle manure / dung, sheep manure / dung, horse manure / dung, etc.), decomposed feed residues, and decomposed bark mulch. Manure is understood to be the mixture of animal excrement and a binding medium such as straw, wood shavings, or hemp chaff that accumulates in agriculture during livestock farming. Dung is excrement with a solid component that accumulates in agriculture during livestock farming.The term "rotted" in relation to manure means at least partial decomposition and transformation under aerobic, partially aerobic, partially anaerobic, or largely anaerobic conditions. Carbonaceous products include, in particular, charcoal and its derivatives (Schilling, G., 2000, Plant Nutrition and Fertilization, Ulmer, Stuttgart).

[0038] In an alternative embodiment of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention, the proportion of organic fertilizer is, for example, 0.5-60.0 vol.%, preferably 0.5-40.0 vol.%, more preferably 0.5-20.0 vol.%, even more preferably 1.0-10.0 vol.%, and in particular preferably 1.0-5.0 vol.%, and the proportion of the at least one water-storing component is, for example, 40.0-99.5 vol.%, preferably 60.0-99.5 vol.%, more preferably 80.0-99.5 vol.%, even more preferably 90.0-99.0 vol.%, in particular preferably 95.0-99.0 vol.%, in each case based on the total volume of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid.

[0039] In a further alternative embodiment of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention, the proportion of organic fertilizer is 1.0–99.0 vol.%, preferably 5.0–99.0 vol.%, more preferably 20.0–99.0 vol.%, even more preferably 30.0–95.0 vol.%, 50.0–95.0 vol.%, 60.0–95.0 vol.% or 70.0–90.0 vol.%, particularly preferably approximately 90.0 vol.%, and the proportion of the at least one water-storing component is 1.0–99.0 vol.%, preferably 1.0–95.0 vol.%, more preferably 1.0–80.0 vol.%, even more preferably 5.0–70.0 vol.%, 5.0–50.0 vol.%, 5.0–40.0 vol.% or 10.0–30.0 vol.%, particularly preferably approximately 10.0 Vol.-%, each based on the total volume of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid.

[0040] In yet another alternative embodiment of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention, the proportion of organic fertilizer is 0.5-99.5 vol.%, preferably 5.0-95.0 vol.%, more preferably 10.0-90.0 vol.%, and particularly preferably 20.0-80.0 vol.%, and the proportion of the at least one water-storing component is 0.5-99.5 vol.%, preferably 5.0-95.0 vol.%, more preferably 10.0-90.0 vol.%, and particularly preferably 20.0-80.0 vol.%, each based on the total volume of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid.

[0041] According to the present invention, the organic fertilizer made from oxidizing and ammoniazing treated lignite of the permanent humus-water-storage hybrid has a C / N ratio of 7 to 15, preferably 8 to 15, more preferably 9 to 15, and a nitrogen content of up to 8 wt.%, based on the dry weight of the fertilizer. Preferably, the nitrogen content of the organic fertilizer is at least 4 wt.%, more preferably at least 5 wt.%, and particularly preferably at least 6 wt.%, in each case based on the dry weight of the fertilizer.

[0042] The nitrogen in the organic fertilizer is present in various chemical forms. Some of the nitrogen is bound in the ammonium form, which is readily available to plants in the short term. Another portion is bound in tightly bound organic forms, which provide long-term plant availability. A further portion is present in the amide form, which is available to plants in the medium term.

[0043] The chemical bond forms differ in their hydrolysis properties. Nitrogen bound in the ammonium form is readily released as ammonia with MgO suspended in water, while the organic bond forms are more difficult to hydrolyze. The portion present in the amide form can be hydrolyzed in the usual way with dilute sodium hydroxide solution under steam distillation conditions. The portion that is not hydrolyzable under these experimental conditions represents the solid, organically bound nitrogen.

[0044] According to the present invention, the organic fertilizer has a C / N ratio of 7 to 15 and, measured against the total nitrogen, the nitrogen is chemically bound in different forms, of which 20-45% is present as ammonium nitrogen, 55-80% is organically bound, of which up to 20% of the total nitrogen is bound organically as an amide and up to 60% is not hydrolyzable as an amide.

[0045] The production process of the organic fertilizer from oxidizingly and ammoniazingly treated lignite of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention is not further limited. In one embodiment of the present invention, the organic fertilizer from oxidizingly and ammoniazingly treated lignite of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention is obtainable by a process comprising the following steps: a) Conversion of lignite and aqueous ammonia solution with a pH greater than 9 to 12 into a suspension and alkaline activation of the suspension initially without the addition of an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent; b) Feeding the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent into the suspension of lignite and aqueous ammonia solution, whereby the oxidation takes place at a reaction temperature < 100°C and a pressure of 0.1-1 MPa; c) Concentration of the product suspension obtained in step b) to a dispersion in aqueous media or drying of the product suspension obtained in step b) to a dried product without the addition of the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent and final cooling, whereby the organic fertilizer is obtained.

[0046] The aqueous ammonia solution used in step a) can be obtained by dissolving ammonia in water. The aqueous ammonia solution, or its starting materials water and ammonia, can also be recovered from the reaction process, particularly from steps b) and c), and reintroduced into the process, which contributes to the economic efficiency of the process.

[0047] The aqueous ammonia solution in step a) preferably has a concentration of up to 10 wt.%, wherein the concentration is preferably at least 2 wt.%, in each case based on the total weight of the aqueous ammonia solution. A concentration of 3 to 8 wt.% is preferred, and a concentration of 4 to 6 wt.% is particularly preferred, in each case based on the total weight of the aqueous ammonia solution.

[0048] Lignite can be used in varying particle sizes and can be processed entirely without prior separation operations. Lignite from different locations (origins) can be used as feedstock. Furthermore, lignite can be used mixed with technical lignins from the pulp industry and wood hydrolysis, mixed with lignin and lignocellulose material from steam explosion pulping for fiber production, and mixed with lignocellulose material such as wood and bark particles. These mixtures can be used premixed or obtained by mixing the individual components and the aqueous ammonia solution in step a).

[0049] The oxidation in step b) can be carried out in an aqueous-ammoniacal environment with an ammonia concentration of up to 7%. In one embodiment, the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent can be selected from air, oxygen, air / oxygen mixtures, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, catalysts that increase the activity of the oxidizing agent can be used in the oxidation in step b).

[0050] The oxidation in step b) preferably takes place over a period of 15 to 300 min, more preferably 30 to 240 min, and particularly preferably 45 to 120 min. During this time, the oxidation of the suspension obtained from step a) with the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent produces a suspension comprising the oxidation product of the suspension obtained from step a). Preferably, the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent is introduced directly into the suspension, for example, in the case of a gaseous oxidizing agent, by introducing the gas into the reaction mixture under pressure. The suspension resulting from step b) is referred to in this process as the "product suspension" containing the oxidation product.

[0051] The cooled product obtained in step c) is an organic fertilizer made from oxidizing and ammoniazing treated lignite according to the present invention. Preferably, the organic fertilizer is the dried product. This organic fertilizer has humic properties as described above and preferably has a nitrogen content of up to 8 wt.%, based on the dry weight of the fertilizer, and a C / N ratio of 7 to 15, particularly preferably a C / N ratio of 9 to 15. The organic fertilizer produced in this way also preferably has a residual moisture content of a maximum of 35 wt.%, based on the total weight of the organic fertilizer.

[0052] The process for producing the organic fertilizer can be implemented technologically, for example, as described in EP 1 144 342 (WO 00 / 37394), by converting the lignite into a suspension with an aqueous ammonia solution with a pH value greater than 9 to 12 and then, in a reactor, first activating it alkaline without the supply of oxygen or air, bringing it to an oxidation temperature of below 100°C within a time that can be controlled for up to 0.5 h. Subsequently, the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent, which is an oxidizing gas, is added at a reaction temperature below 100°C. For air or oxygen as the oxidizing gas, the reaction takes place at normal pressure, and for air / oxygen mixtures, the reaction takes place at normal pressure with an oxygen partial pressure in the range of 0.02 MPa to < 0.One MPa is injected into the reaction mixture according to the injector principle, and finally the supply of oxidizing gas is closed, the reaction is stopped, and the reaction mixture (product mixture) is subsequently cooled without further oxidizing gas supply to a temperature necessary for further processing, the cooling time being less than 1 h, and the organic fertilizer is obtained as a dispersion in aqueous media by thickening or drying, yielding a C / N ratio of 9 to 15. For specific process steps of such a procedure, reference is made to EP 1 144 342 (WO 00 / 37394).

[0053] In international patent application WO 2017 / 186852 (application number PCT / EP2017 / 060060), the process of EP 1 144 342 was further developed into a continuous process, in which the starting materials lignite and aqueous ammonia solution are continuously fed into the process and the reaction does not need to be interrupted. This allows the organic fertilizer to be produced with a high throughput of starting materials and low energy consumption.

[0054] Accordingly, in a further embodiment of the present invention, the organic fertilizer from oxidizing and ammoniazing treated lignite of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention is produced by a continuous process as described in WO 2017 / 186852, which comprises the following steps: a) Feeding lignite particles and aqueous ammonia solution, and optionally recycled product from step b), as starting materials into a dispersion circuit with a dispersion device, recirculation tank, and circulation pump, and dispersing the starting materials while simultaneously comminuting the lignite particles until a suspension of lignite particles and aqueous ammonia solution is obtained, which is taken from the dispersion circuit and fed to step b); b) Oxidizing the suspension obtained in step a) in an oxidation reactor with an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent at a temperature of < 100°C, producing a product suspension which is fed entirely to step c) or partially to step c) and partially to step a) as starting material; c) Drying the product suspension obtained in step b) at a temperature > 50°C to a residual moisture content of a maximum of 30 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dried product and cooling of the resulting dried product; . wherein the organic fertilizer has a nitrogen content of up to 8 wt.%, based on the dry weight of the fertilizer, and a C / N ratio of 7 to 15.

[0055] The term "continuous process" is to be understood in this context as meaning that starting materials, which in this case are in particular lignite and aqueous ammonia solution as well as possibly recycled product suspension from step b), are continuously fed into the process, which are converted into dried and cooled organic fertilizer as a product via steps a) to c), without the need for an interruption of the process or the process steps in order to form the organic fertilizer and remove it from the process.

[0056] The term "dispersion circuit," as used herein, refers to an arrangement comprising a dispersing device, a recirculation tank, and a circulation pump. The dispersing device is preferably a closed system, thus preventing gas exchange with the environment. Preferably, the mean residence time of the mixture of lignite particles and aqueous ammonia solution, and optionally the recycled product from step b), in the dispersing device is 30 to 300 min, more preferably 45 to 240 min, and particularly preferably 60 to 180 min, before the resulting suspension is withdrawn from the dispersing circuit and fed to step b). The mean residence time is calculated, as is customary in continuous processes, from the total volume of the dispersing device and the volumes supplied and discharged (e.g., with a dispersing device volume of 100 l and a supply / discharge volume of 100 l, the mean residence time would be calculated as follows:Discharge rate of 25 l / h (average residence time 4 h).

[0057] The continuous process allows the use of lignite particles as a feedstock, the size of which is not critical, as the particles are reduced in size during the process. For practical reasons, lignite particles with average particle sizes > 10 µm are preferably used in the continuous process, although particles with sizes up to, for example, 10 mm are also possible. More preferred are lignite particles with sizes up to 5 mm, even more preferred up to 2 mm, even more preferred up to 1 mm, even more preferred up to 500 µm, and particularly preferred up to 100 µm. The lignite particles are preferably lignite dust with typical average particle sizes in the range of > 10 to 600 µm, particularly in the range of 200 to 300 µm, i.e., currently common commercial lignite dust.Within the framework of the continuous process, for example the use of raw lignite with particle sizes up to 10 mm is also possible, whereby the raw lignite is crushed in the dispersion cycle, in particular in the dispersion device.

[0058] The dispersing device is simultaneously a mixing and comminuting device. The mixture of lignite particles and aqueous ammonia solution, along with any recycled product from step b), is mixed in the dispersing device while the lignite particles are simultaneously comminuted until a suspension of comminuted lignite particles and aqueous ammonia solution is obtained. Comminuting the lignite particles in the dispersing device allows for the production of lignite particles with a relatively uniform particle size distribution, enabling the formation of a particularly homogeneous suspension that is then subjected to oxidation in step b).

[0059] Preferably, the lignite particles are reduced in the dispersion device to an average particle size of ≤ 10 µm, more preferably to average particle sizes of < 8 µm, even more preferably to average particle sizes of < 6 µm, and particularly to average particle sizes of < 4 µm. Reducing the size of the lignite particles has the advantage that the reaction surfaces are significantly increased and the average size distribution is relatively uniform, which promotes the oxidation reaction carried out in step b).

[0060] If a gas containing oxygen is used as the oxidizing agent, for example, oxygen, oxygen-enriched air, air, or ozone, it is preferably introduced directly into the suspension in a continuous process at an overpressure of up to 0.8 MPa by means of a gas metering device. "Overpressure" in the context of the present invention means that the pressure at which the oxygen-containing oxidizing gas is supplied is above normal pressure. Normal pressure corresponds to a pressure of 101,325 Pa = 1.01325 bar. Therefore, in the continuous process, the oxygen-containing gas is supplied at a pressure of > 0.101325 MPa, whereby the oxygen-containing gas can be supplied at an overpressure of up to 0.8 MPa. Preferably, the oxygen-containing gas is supplied at an overpressure of at least 0.15 MPa.A pressure of 0.2 to 0.8 MPa is more preferred, a pressure of 0.3 to 0.7 MPa is even more preferred, and a pressure of 0.4 to 0.6 MPa is particularly preferred.

[0061] The gas metering device can be, for example, a nozzle lance, a gassing ring, or a gassing agitator, which is located in the reactor and is in contact with or immersed in the suspension. Preferably, the gas metering device is a gassing agitator, which simultaneously stirs the suspension in the reactor, thus promoting the introduction of the oxygen-containing oxidizing gas into the suspension and consequently the oxidation reaction.

[0062] Alternatively, the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent can also be added in solution, for example in the form of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. Furthermore, gaseous oxidizing agents can be added in solution, preferably in aqueous solution.

[0063] The oxidation reactor typically operates under overpressure, which is slightly lower than the pressure at which the oxygen-containing gas is introduced (if any). Preferably, the oxidation reactor operates under a pressure of more than 0.101325 MPa (normal pressure) up to 0.7 MPa, more preferably up to 0.6 MPa.

[0064] The drying step c) of the continuous process is carried out at a temperature of > 50°C, preferably > 60°C, and particularly preferably > 70°C, with the maximum temperature preferably being 120°C. The average residence time for drying is generally less than 20 hours, preferably less than 10 hours, and more preferably less than 8 hours. The product is preferably cooled in a rotating drum.

[0065] Preferably, the dried product is cooled to a temperature below 50°C, particularly preferably to room temperature (20 to 30°C). The cooling time is typically 10 to 240 minutes, preferably 20 to 180 minutes, and particularly preferably 30 to 120 minutes.

[0066] Regarding further process engineering aspects of the continuous production process of the organic fertilizer, reference is made to the description in WO 2017 / 186852 and the publications cited therein.

[0067] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the permanent humus-water storage hybrid comprises at least two water-storing components. According to a further alternative embodiment, the permanent humus-water storage hybrid comprises at least two water-storing components, wherein the at least two water-storing components comprise at least one water-storing material of mineral origin and at least one water-storing material of organic origin.

[0068] The long-lasting humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention can be used advantageously in various ways. In particular, the long-lasting humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention is used as a plant substrate, as an additive for potting soil, and as a substrate additive for soil improvement in permeable substrates or soils that are low in carbon, require long-lasting humus, or can be improved with long-lasting humus, and whose water balance is in need of improvement. Surprisingly, such use of the long-lasting humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention leads to a greater increase in yield than the organic fertilizer or the at least one water-storing component alone. This increase in yield occurs in addition to the effect resulting from the addition of conventional fertilizers, such as NPK liquid fertilizers, since the increase in yield can also be observed with the simultaneous addition of, for example, liquid fertilizers.In a further embodiment of the present invention, the use of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention leads to a yield increase of > 10%, preferably > 15%, compared with the organic fertilizer or the at least one water-storing component alone.

[0069] Furthermore, the use of the permanent humus water storage hybrid according to the invention as a plant substrate, as an additive for potting soil or as a substrate additive for soil improvement surprisingly leads to lower water consumption than the organic fertilizer or the at least one water-storing component alone.

[0070] The use of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention as a plant substrate, as an additive for potting soil or as a substrate additive for soil improvement also surprisingly leads to a higher water capacity and an improved water utilization rate of the plants, compared to the organic fertilizer or the at least one water-storing component alone.

[0071] When the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention is used on slightly cohesive or non-cohesive soils with a high proportion of fine grains, the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention can develop its advantageous effect particularly well.

[0072] When the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention is used as a plant substrate, the at least one water-storing component comprises at least one material of organic origin. This at least one material of organic origin is to be selected from compost, decomposed manure, coal-like products, lignocellulose material, wood fibers, wood wool, coconut fibers, hemp fibers, and flax fibers, preferably from compost and decomposed manure.

[0073] When using the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention as a plant substrate, the proportion of organic fertilizer is, for example, 0.5-60.0 vol.%, preferably 0.5-40.0 vol.%, more preferably 0.5-20.0 vol.%, even more preferably 1.0-10.0 vol.%, and in particular preferably 1.0-5.0 vol.%, and the proportion of the at least one material of organic origin is, for example, 40.0-99.5 vol.%, preferably 60.0-99.5 vol.%, more preferably 80.0-99.5 vol.%, even more preferably 90.0-99.0 vol.%, in particular preferably 95.0-99.0 vol.%, in each case based on the total volume of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid. How the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention is to be used as a plant substrate does not fundamentally differ from the use of conventional plant substrates in agriculture and horticulture and is known to those skilled in the art.

[0074] When using the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention as an additive for potting soil, the proportion of organic fertilizer is 1.0–99.0 vol.%, preferably 5.0–99.0 vol.%, more preferably 10.0–95.0 vol.%, even more preferably 30.0–95.0 vol.%, 50.0–95.0 vol.%, 60.0–95.0 vol.% or 70.0–90.0 vol.%, particularly preferably approximately 90.0 vol.%, and the proportion of the at least one water-storing component is 1.0–99.0 vol.%, preferably 1.0–95.0 vol.%, more preferably 5.0–90.0 vol.%, even more preferably 5.0–70.0 vol.%, 5.0–50.0 vol.%, 5.0–40.0 vol.% or 10.0–30.0 vol.%, particularly preferably approximately 10.0% by volume, based on the total volume of the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid. The use of this permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid as an additive for potting soil does not fundamentally differ from the use of conventional additives in agriculture and horticulture and is familiar to experts.The potting soil mixed with additives in this way can in turn be used as a plant substrate, for example in agricultural or horticultural plant cultivation.

[0075] When using the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention as an additive for potting soil, the permanent humus-water storage hybrid preferably makes up 0.1-90.0 vol.%, more preferably 0.1-30.0 vol.%, even more preferably 0.5-20.0 vol.%, and in particular preferably 1.0-10.0 vol.% of the potting soil.

[0076] When using the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention as a substrate additive for soil improvement, the proportion of organic fertilizer is 0.5–99.5 vol.%, preferably 5.0–95.0 vol.%, more preferably 10.0–90.0 vol.%, and particularly preferably 20.0–80.0 vol.%, and the proportion of the at least one water-storing component is 0.5–99.5 vol.%, preferably 5.0–95.0 vol.%, more preferably 10.0–90.0 vol.%, and particularly preferably 20.0–80.0 vol.%, in each case based on the total volume of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid. The permanent humus-water storage hybrid is used as a substrate additive for soil improvement in permeable substrates that are low in carbon, require permanent humus, or are capable of being improved with permanent humus, and whose water balance is in need of improvement.Using soil additives for soil improvement and yield increase is not fundamentally different from the use of conventional substrate additives for soil improvement and yield increase in agriculture and horticulture, and is known to the expert.

[0077] The permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention, used as a substrate additive for soil improvement, for example for low-carbon, permanently humus-requiring or permeable substrates or soils that are capable of being improved with permanent humus and whose water balance is in need of improvement, is preferably used such that it constitutes 0.1–90.0 wt.%, preferably 0.1–30.0 wt.%, more preferably 0.1–15.0 wt.%, even more preferably 0.1–10.0 wt.%, and particularly preferably 1.0–10.0 wt.% of the uppermost soil layer approximately 20 cm thick. Low-carbon, permanently humus-requiring or permeable substrates or soils that are capable of being improved with permanent humus and whose water balance is in need of improvement are, for example, substrates or soils with a high sand and / or gravel content, a low proportion of organic matter, and high water permeability.The permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention can be applied to such carbon-poor, permanently humus-requiring, or permeable substrates or soils that are capable of being improved with permanent humus and whose water balance is in need of improvement, or it can be incorporated to a depth of 15-20 cm. In a preferred application, the permanent humus-water storage hybrid is incorporated to a depth of 20 cm. The individual components of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid can be applied or incorporated individually, combined during application or incorporation, or applied or incorporated premixed.

[0078] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a permanent humus-water storage hybrid, comprising the following process steps: a) Converting lignite and aqueous ammonia solution with a pH greater than 9 to 12 into a suspension and alkaline activation of the suspension, initially without the addition of an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent; b) Introducing the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent into the suspension of lignite and aqueous ammonia solution, whereby the oxidation takes place at a reaction temperature < 100°C and a pressure of 0.1-1 MPa; c) Concentrating the product suspension obtained in step b) into a dispersion in aqueous media or drying the product suspension obtained in step b) into a dried product, without the addition of the oxygen-containing oxidizing agent, and finally cooling, thereby obtaining an organic fertilizer; d) Combining orMixing at least one water-retaining component selected from materials of mineral or organic origin with the product suspension or organic fertilizer of step c), thereby obtaining the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid; . wherein, in the permanent humus-water storage hybrid produced in this way, the proportion of the organic fertilizer is 0.5-99.9 vol.%, preferably 1.0-90.0 vol.%, and the proportion of the at least one water-storing component is 0.1-99.5 vol.%, preferably 10.0-99.0 vol.%, each based on the total volume of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid, wherein the organic fertilizer has a C / N ratio of 7 to 15 and the nitrogen is chemically bound differently as measured against the total nitrogen, wherein 20-45% is present as ammonium nitrogen, 55-80% is organically bound, and up to 20% of the total nitrogen is organically bound as an amide and up to 60% of the total nitrogen is not hydrolyzable as an amide. The materials of mineral origin are selected from clay minerals, clay mineral-containing substances, perlites, phyllosilicates, clay, bentonite, hectorite, montmorillonite, vermiculite, zeolites, sepiolite, attapulgite, fired clay, expanded clay, expanded shale, volcanic ash, pumice, silica gel and smectites, and the materials of organic origin are selected from composts, decomposed manures, coal-like products, lignocellulose material, wood fibers, wood wool, coconut fibers, hemp fibers and flax fibers.

[0079] The meaning of "combining" in step d) of the manufacturing process is to be interpreted more broadly than "mixing" and includes immediate mixing, but also the portioning of the individual components of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid, in particular the organic fertilizer and the at least one water-storing component, in quantities corresponding to the volume fractions in the hybrid according to the invention, and the final mixing or combining before or during use as a plant substrate, additive for potting soil or substrate additive in carbon-poor, permanently humus-requiring or permanently humus-improvable, permeable substrates or soils that are in need of improvement with regard to water balance.In one embodiment of the manufacturing process for the permanent humus-water-retaining hybrid, the organic fertilizer and the at least one water-retaining component are mixed during or after the drying or cooling of the organic fertilizer in step c). In an alternative embodiment of the manufacturing process, the at least one water-retaining component and the organic fertilizer are portioned in such quantities that they correspond to the volume fractions of the hybrid according to the invention, which are then mixed shortly before or during use. According to the invention, "portioning" refers either to the actual portioning of the individual components of the hybrid or to instructions for use that specify the quantities (portions) in which the individual components of the hybrid are to be mixed or combined for use according to the invention.Preferably, in relation to the inventive method, "combining" means "mixing".

[0080] In step d) two, three, four, etc. water-storing components can also be used, wherein preferably at least one water-storing component is of mineral origin and at least one water-storing component is of organic origin.

[0081] Regarding process engineering aspects and special embodiments of process steps a) to c), reference is made to the detailed description of the process for the production of the organic fertilizer of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention (see above).

[0082] The permanent humus-water storage hybrid obtainable according to the manufacturing process according to the invention has the product features of the permanent humus-water storage hybrid according to the invention described above, in particular the surprising advantageous properties that become apparent when used as a plant substrate, as an additive for potting soil or as a substrate additive for soil improvement. Examples of implementation Example 1

[0083] Various permanent humus-water storage hybrids according to the invention were produced. For this purpose, agricultural or horticultural planting substrates were mixed with water-storing, porous, swelling materials – composts, plant chips, coconut, rocks, minerals, mineral products and Novihum® (Novihum® is the brand name of an organic fertilizer made from oxidizing and ammonia-treated lignite; the production can be carried out as described in EP 1 144 342 (i.e. WO 00 / 37394) – either as a mixture or in combination – and blended together.Alternatively, permanent humus water storage hybrids according to the invention were produced directly from compost, plant chips, coconut coir, rocks, minerals, mineral products, and Novihum® as independent agricultural or horticultural planting substrates for cultivating crops, wherein these hybrids for use as planting substrates comprised at least one water-storing component made of materials of organic origin, such as compost, plant chips, or coconut coir. Water-storing, swellable rocks and minerals or mineral products are clay minerals, clay-mineral-containing substances (e.g., bentonite), processed minerals, and rocks such as expanded clay or expanded shale. The proportion of Novihum® was between 1% and 99% by volume. As a plant substrate additive for the top 20 cm of soil, the application rate of the mixture or combination is between 0.1% and 10% by weight. As an additive for potting soil or...When used as a standalone plant substrate, the application rate of the mixture or combination ranges from 0.1 vol.% to 100 vol.%.

[0084] The Novihum product used had the composition specified in WO 00 / 37394, Example 1, that is, according to the elemental analysis: C = 53.50% H = 5.32% N = 5.97% S = 0.45%.

[0085] The C / N ratio was therefore 8.96. The forms of nitrogen bonding (in % of the total nitrogen content) were: Ammonium nitrogen = 32.8% Organically bound nitrogen = 67.2% Amide nitrogen = 11.1% Solid organically bound nitrogen = 56.1%.

[0086] Accordingly, the products of the other examples in WO 00 / 37394 can also be used, and their use leads to comparable or better results. Table 1: Application examples Nr. Novihum® water storage combination Application example Proportion of the combination in the application Water storage, proportion Novihum proportion of topsoil layer Proportion of plant substrate / soil (Vol.-%) (Vol.-%) (% by weight / 20 cm) (Vol.-%) A 99% 1 % Plant substrate for cultivating crops - 100% (1)< B 80% 20% Addition to low-carbon, permeable soil 10% - C 20% 80% Addition to low-carbon, permeable soil 2% - D 10% 90% Additive for potting soils - 4% (1)< When using the permanent humus water storage hybrid as a plant substrate, at least one water-storing component of organic origin is used. Example 2 Application example for a hybrid of organic fertilizer and organic water storage

[0087] For comparison, four experimental variants with snake cucumbers in sandy soil under protected cultivation (evaporation-cooled greenhouse) were compared. Novihum®, made from oxidizing and ammonia-treated lignite, was used as the organic fertilizer, and cattle manure compost was used as the water-retaining component of organic origin. Option 1:

[0088] 0.5 kg / m² Novihum® and 1.0 kg / m² cattle manure compost were worked into the soil surface to a depth of 15 cm. Option 2:

[0089] 1.0 kg / m² of cattle manure compost was worked into the soil surface at a depth of 15 cm. Option 3:

[0090] 0.5 kg / m² of Novihum® were worked into the soil surface to a depth of 15 cm. Variant 4:

[0091] Neither Novihum® nor cattle manure compost was incorporated. Only water and nutrients were added, analogous to variants 1 to 3.

[0092] All variants received the same amounts of nutrients and water. The cultivation period was 3 months. Novihum -Compost Hybrid Table 2: ® Option 1 Option 2 Variant 3 Variant 4 Novihum® (0.5 kg / m²< ) + - + - Compost (1 kg / m²< ) + + - - Fertilization (liquid NPK) + + + + Yield (kg / m²< ) 1,08 0,93 0,76 0,61 Yield difference compared to V4 77% 52% 25% 0% +: Component added; -: Component not added; NPK liquid; Nitrogen-Phosphate-Potassium liquid fertilizer

[0093] Surprisingly, variant 1 showed that the combination of Novihum® and an organic water-retaining agent had an additive yield-enhancing effect that was greater than the effect of either component individually. In all four trial variants, conventional liquid fertilizer (NPK liquid fertilizer) was also used. The yield-enhancing effect thus occurred in addition to the yield increase achieved by the conventional liquid fertilizer. Furthermore, a comparison of variant 1 and variant 2 revealed that the combination of organic fertilizer and organic water-retaining agent resulted in a 16% and 42% higher yield, respectively, than the organic water-retaining agent or the organic fertilizer alone. Example 3 Application example for a hybrid of organic fertilizer and mineral water storage

[0094] For comparison, four experimental variants were tested on a sandy, highly permeable soil. Garden lawn was used as the test crop. Novihum®, an organic fertilizer made from oxidizing and ammonia-treated lignite, was used, and bentonite, a mineral-based water-retaining component, was used. Nutrient and water supply was identical for all variants. Option 1: 0.5 kg / m² < Novihum® and 0.5 kg / m² < Bentonite Option 2: 1.0 kg / m² < Novihum® Option 3: 1.0 kg / m² < Bentonite Variant 4: Untreated

[0095] As can be seen from the presented experimental setup, the same total quantities of Novihum®, water reservoir, and Novihum®+water reservoir were used in each case. Six weeks after sowing the lawn, the four variants were checked for coverage (proportion of the area covered by vegetation), germination result (proportion of germinated seeds to the total amount of seeds), and overall appearance (color, density, leaf shape).

[0096] Six weeks after sowing the lawn, the following findings were observed: A) The coverage decreased in the order of variants 1, 3, 2, 4. B) The germination result decreased in the order of variants 1, 3, 2, 4. C) The overall impression decreased in the order of variants 1, 3, 2, 4.

[0097] As from the result B) Soaking result The results show that the permanent humus-water storage hybrid, consisting of organic fertilizer and a water storage medium of mineral origin, has a synergistic effect compared to permanent humus and the water storage medium alone. Analogous results are observed for hybrids of Novihum® and clay granules, charcoal, or expanded shale. Comparable results can be expected for other substances with similar porosity and water storage capacity.

Claims

1. A stable humus water storage hybrid comprising an organic fertilizer of browncoal that had been subjected to an oxidizing and ammoniating treatment and at least one water storing component selected from materials of mineral or organic origin, wherein the proportion of the organic fertilizer makes up 0.5-99.9 % (v / v), preferably 1.0-90.0 % (v / v), and the proportion of the at least one water storing component makes up 0.1-99.5 % (v / v), preferably 10.0-99.0 % (v / v), each with respect to the total volume of the stable humus water storage hybrid, wherein the organic fertilizer has a C / N ration of 7 to 15 and the nitrogen is present chemically bound in different ways compared to the total nitrogen, wherein - 20-45 % are present as ammonium nitrogen, - 55-80 % are organically bound, and - up to 20 % of the total nitrogen are bound as amide, and - up to 60 % of the total nitrogen are organically bound as not being hydrolysable as amide, the materials of mineral origin are selected from clay minerals, clay minerals-containing substances, perlites, sheet silicates, clay, bentonite, hectorite, montmorillonite, vermiculite, zeolites, sepiolite, attapulgite, calcinated clay, expanded clay, expanded shale, volcanic ash, pumice, silical gel, and smectites, and the materials of organic origin are selected from composts, rotten organic fertilizers, coal-like products, lignocellulose material, wood fibers, wood wool, coconut fibers, hemp fibers, and flax fibers.

2. The stable humus water storage hybrid according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of organic fertilizer makes up 0.5-20.0 % (v / v), preferably 1.0-10.0 % (v / v), especially preferred 1.0-5.0 % (v / v), and the proportion of the at least one water storing component makes up 80-99.5 % (v / v), preferably 90.0-99.0 % (v / v), especially preferred 95.0-99.0 % (v / v).

3. The stable humus water storage hybrid according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of the organic fertilizer makes up 20.0-99.0 % (v / v), preferably 50.0-95.0 % (v / v), more preferably 70.0-90.0 % (v / v), especially preferred approximately 90.0 % (v / v), and the proportion of the at least one water storing component makes up 1.0-80.0 % (v / v), preferably 5.0-50.0 % (v / v), more preferably 10.0-30.0 % (v / v), especially preferred approximately 10.0 % (v / v).

4. The stable humus water storage hybrid according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of the organic fertilizer makes up 0.5-99.5 % (v / v), preferably 5.0-95.0 % (v / v), more preferably 10.0-90.0 % (v / v), especially preferred 20.0-80.0 % (v / v), and the proportion of the at least one water storing component makes up 0.5-99.5 % (v / v), preferably 5.0-95.0 % (v / v), more preferably 10.0-90.0 % (v / v), especially preferred 20.0-80.0 % (v / v).

5. The stable humus water storage hybrid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the organic fertilizer is obtained by a method comprising the method steps of: a) converting browncoal and an aqueous ammonia solution having a pH value greater 9 to 12 into a suspension and alkaline activation of the suspension first without supplying an oxygen-containing oxidant; b) feeding the oxygen-containing oxidant into the suspension of browncoal and the aqueous ammonia solution, wherein the oxidation runs at a reaction temperature <100°C and a pressure of 0.1-1 MPa; c) concentrating the product suspension obtained in step b) to a dispersion in the aqueous milieu or drying the product suspension obtained in step b) to a dried product, without supplying the oxygen-containing oxidant, and finally cooling thereby recovering the organic fertilizer.

6. Use of the stable humus water storage hybrid according to any one of claims 1-5 as an additive for planting soil or substrate additive for soil conditioning for low-carbon substrates or soils, respectively that are in need of stable humus or able to be conditioned with stable humus, are permeable, and worthy of improvement with respect to the water regime.

7. Use of the stable humus water storage hybrid according to claim 6 as an additive for planting soil, wherein the hybrid makes up 0.1-90.0 % (v / v), preferably 0.5-20.0 % (v / v), especially preferred 1.0-10.0 % (v / v) of the planting soil.

8. Use of the stable humus water storage hybrid according to claim 6 as a substrate additive for soil conditioning for low-carbon substrates or soils, respectively that are in need of stable humus or able to be conditioned with stable humus, are permeable, and worthy of improvement with respect to the water regime, wherein the hybrid makes up 0.1-90.0 % (w / w), preferably 0.1-30.0 % (w / w), more preferably 0.1-15.0 % (w / w), especially preferred 1.0-10.0 % (w / w) of the uppermost 20 cm thick soil layer.

9. Use of the stable humus water storage hybrid according to any one of claims 1-5 as a plant substrate, wherein the at least one water storing component comprises at least one material of organic origin.

10. A method for preparing a stable humus water storage hybrid comprising the following method steps: a) converting browncoal and an aqueous ammonia solution having a pH value greater 9 to 12 into a suspension and alkaline activation of the suspension first without supplying an oxygen-containing oxidant; b) feeding the oxygen-containing oxidant into the suspension of browncoal and the aqueous ammonia solution, wherein the oxidation runs at a reaction temperature <100°C and a pressure of 0.1-1 MPa; c) concentrating the product suspension obtained in step b) to a dispersion in the aqueous milieu or drying the product suspension obtained in step b) to a dried product, without supplying the oxygen-containing oxidant, and finally cooling thereby recovering the organic fertilizer; d) combining or mixing, respectively at least one water storing component to be selected from materials of mineral or organic origin with the product suspension or the organic fertilizer of step c) thereby obtaining the stable humus water storage hybrid; wherein in the stable humus water storage hybrid prepared in this way the proportion of the organic fertilizer makes up 0.5-99.9 % (v / v), preferably 1.0-90.0 % (v / v), and the proportion of the at least one water storing component makes up 0.1-99.5 % (v / v), preferably 10.0-99.0 % (v / v), each with respect to the total volume of the stable humus water storage hybrid, wherein the organic fertilizer has a C / N ration of 7 to 15 and the nitrogen is present chemically bound in different ways compared to the total nitrogen, wherein - 20-45 % are present as ammonium nitrogen - 55-80 % are organically bound, and - up to 20 % of the total nitrogen are bound as amide, and - up to 60 % of the total nitrogen are organically as not being hydrolysable as amide, the materials of mineral origin are selected from clay minerals, clay minerals-containing substances, perlites, sheet silicates, clay, bentonite, hectorite, montmorillonite, vermiculite, zeolites, sepiolite, attapulgite, calcinated clay, expanded clay, expanded shale, volcanic ash, pumice, silical gel, and smectites, and the materials of organic origin are selected from composts, rotten organic fertilizers, coal-like products, lignocellulose material, wood fibers, wood wool, coconut fibers, hemp fibers, and flax fibers.

11. The stable humus water storage hybrid obtainable according to the method according to claim 10.