Agricultural compositions, fertilizer compositions and uses

Abstract

The present invention refers to agricultural compositions with prolonged stability and their uses. The compositions as described in the present invention provide a constant microbiological count for significant periods and adequate adherence, circumventing the problem of the technique in relation to the decay of the viability of microorganisms when added to organic, organomineral and mineral fertilizers and providing a significant improvement in the productivity of the cultivation of plant species.

Description

Specification for Patent of Invention for "AGRICULTURAL COMPOSITIONS, FERTILIZER COMPOSITIONS AND USES".Technical field

[0001] The present invention refers to agricultural compositions with prolonged stability, fertilizer compositions coated with such composition and their uses.Background of the invention

[0002] The analysis of the behavior of microorganisms in the rhizosphere, the region close to the plant root system in intimate contact between the soil and the roots and comprising several microbial populations capable of directly influencing plant physiology and development through, for example, controlling soil pH, nutrient bioavailability, etc., has been attracting increasing interest over the years due to its significant potential for agricultural improvement.

[0003] Various microbial varieties are present in the rhizosphere, such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa, viruses, etc., and the relationship between this population and plant species is known as the microbiome. With beneficial activity for the plant, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, nutrient solubilizers, mycorrhizal fungi, plant growth-promoting rhi- zobacteria (RPCP), biological control organisms, mycoparasitic fungi, and protozoa can be found.

[0004] The interaction between plants and microorganisms that occurs in the rhizosphere is quite complex, with studies indicating a vast number of genes originating from microorganisms that inhabit such a region, present in such an area, in a number exceeding the number of genes present in the roots of plants, and which are responsible for the production of a significant variety of components that are important for plant health. It is also believed that plant species have the ability to stimulate the selection of specific microorganisms through the production of compounds with selective antimicrobial capacity.

[0005] In this context, the study of biological activity related to the spontaneous presence and / or inclusion of specific microorganisms has been increasingly used to improve agronomic practices, aiming, for example, at increasing their productivity, such that scientific development in the area of soil microbiology has significantly expanded over time.

[0006] The addition of beneficial microorganisms to the rhizosphere is highly considered to reduce the occurrence of diseases in plant species and to provide a fixation of newly planted species in nonideal conditions, such as under water deficit. As a general rule, the beneficial action of microorganisms on plant physiology can occur in two ways, one directly, through the production and fixation of essential components for plant growth and health, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, and another indirectly, through the induction of resistant characteristics, through, for example, the production of antibiotics.

[0007] Thus, the use of agricultural improvement through the study of plant-microorganism interactions is a promising area, with the potential to reduce the use of agrochemicals, which can have a significant detrimental environmental impact.

[0008] However, despite being a rapidly expanding technical field, many challenges remain in the development of compositions and methods for the inclusion of microorganisms that are beneficial to plant species. Such challenges are related, for example, to the specificity of the relationship between the microorganism present and the plant, with data in the literature indicating that the same bacterial strain differs in its effects depending on the plant and also in relation to maintaining the microbial population in an ideal quantity and activity for the desired effects.

[0009] In fact, the decay of the microbial population in microorganism compositions to be added to the soil and / or combined with fertilizer compositions is a major technical issue and the solutions developed todate do not meet the necessary parameters for efficient agricultural production. This technical challenge arises from difficulties related, for example, to the stability of storage and safety profile in handling microorganism compositions as well as the physical-chemical conditions of the surface of mineral fertilizers (with extreme pH values, acidity and other components that are toxic to microorganisms), which are not conducive to maintaining cell viability, conditions that commonly do not allow the resistance of viable microorganisms for periods longer than 15 days, making efficient application in the field unfeasible.

[0010] As pointed out, there are several developments that aim to improve agricultural production through the use / application of specific microorganisms to the plant.

[0011] Document WO2019191471 generically describes a composition containing one or more oils, a fertilizer, bacteria and a buffering agent. Specifically, the composition embodied in this document contains 0.1% w / w of urea and 5% w / w of PEG-16 macadamia glycerides and 0.6% w / w of polyalkylene oxide block copolymer (Synperonic PE / L64), in addition to the fertilizer components, bacteria and the buffering agent. It also describes a method for increasing the effectiveness of an agricultural chemical or biological agent in a plant, part of the plant or seed through the application of the referred composition.

[0012] The oil, as defined in the invention, refers to an oil or derivative of an oil that is (i) miscible or soluble in water, in whole or in part (e.g., soluble in water at a concentration of 0.1 % by weight or more), and is derived from a plant, plant part, tree, marine, animal or synthetic source, including, but not limited to, alkoxylated oils, ethoxylated oils, saponified oils and transesterified oils. The microorganisms are defined as those found in native soil or other amendments or externally added to soil or other amendments as isolated microbes useful in the methods and compositions described herein may include gram-negative bacte-ria, gram-positive bacteria and combinations thereof. However, such method and composition do not provide for the prolonged stability of the microorganisms when in contact with extreme environments (such as the surface of fertilizers). It is known that plants and seeds have a neutral surface, thus facilitating the stability of microorganisms. In addition, there are no references to the use of such an oily composition for coating mineral fertilizers, nor is there any evidence of its proven efficiency.

[0013] Document BR102014031660-4 refers to granulated organic and organomineral fertilizer supplemented with biological additive, a supplementation that occurs in the granulation stage. The composition described is composed of 50% organic matter and sodium, potassium and phosphorus components and a load of biological material, with no description of other components present in the referred biological load. As in the previously cited document, the surface of organomineral fertilizers already has a neutral surface in relation to pH, due to the nature of the organic matter. Thus, this example demonstrates process parameters (such as drying temperature and cooling of the material) to maintain the viability of microorganisms. Unlike the present invention, which proposes a chemical composition that protects microorganisms from the inhospitable environment of mineral fertilizers.

[0014] Document BR10201409382-5 describes a pelletized or granulated organic and organomineral fertilizer coated with biological additives and a process for coating the referred fertilizer. The addition of microorganisms is carried out using a polymer in an organomineral fertilizer, which protects the microorganism from direct contact with the minerals through the vehicle used and, in the same way as for the document mentioned above, pH control prevents the reduction of the microorganism count.

[0015] Document CN101538174 aims to develop a process andequipment for adding bacteria to bio-organic fertilizer preparations that addresses the problem of the technique of loss of microbial count in the preparation of such components. The aim of the invention is to provide a method of "post-added bacteria" for the production of bio-organic fertilizer and special bacteria addition equipment, which effectively avoids the loss of viable count of beneficial bacteria in bio-organic fertilizer and ensures the addition of beneficial bacteria in bio-organic fertilizer.

[0016] Document CN 108048445 describes a method and application for prolonging the growth activity of microbial cells. It is stated that the proposed invention can slow down the growth and decline of biological cells in microbial bacterial fertilizer and prolong the shelf life of the product. The solution includes the use of biochar with a porous structure, which is fully mixed with a suspension of microbial bacteria and filtered to obtain a biochar adsorbed with microbial cells. In addition to the different composition from that proposed in the present invention, CN108048445 does not demonstrate prolonged stability when used together with fertilizers in critical environments.

[0017] In this context, although there are numerous technical solutions aimed at agricultural improvement through the use of microorganisms seeking to explore the relationship between the latter and the plant, there is still a need to develop a solution that circumvents the still latent issue regarding the significant decline in the viability of microorganisms when added to organic, organomineral and mineral fertilizers, as well as solutions that guarantee an adequate coating of the fertilizers in terms of adhesion, thereby ensuring the beneficial action resulting from the microorganisms.Summary of the invention

[0018] The present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising microorganisms for coating fertilizers, such as mineral, organomineral and / or organic fertilizers, which presents improved stabil-ity and adequate adhesion. Such composition comprises microorganisms, silicates, cellulose derivatives, carbonates and / or sugars, among others.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition described herein can be produced by common processes of the art, using usual sterilization, drying and mixing procedures.

[0020] The application of the agricultural composition as described herein to fertilizers can be performed externally, to a pelletized or granulated organomineral fertilizer as described in the examples of the present invention, another aspect of the invention being the use of the agricultural composition of the present invention for coating fertilizers.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention is a fertilizer composition that comprises the association of the agricultural composition described above with fertilizers available in the related technical field. In a preferred embodiment, the fertilizers are NPK 04-30-10, NPK 10- 15-15 and NPK 02-20-20, among others. Typically the composition of fertilizers with respect to NPK may range from about 0 to about 46% nitrogen, about 0 to about 52% P2O5 and about 0 to about 62% K2O.

[0022] After applying the agricultural composition to the fertilizer, the resulting composition (fertilizer composition) is applied to the plant species through standard procedures for solid fertilizers, another aspect of the present invention being the use of the fertilizer composition of the present invention for application to plant species. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plant species are legumes, tubers and cereals, such as beans, peas, soybeans, chickpeas, etc.; potatoes, carrots, cassava, etc.; and rice, oats, wheat, corn, barley, etc.Brief description of the figures

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a graph with the results of the ammonium sulfate stability test with composition S1 of the present invention, as described in example 1 , in comparison with composition S2, which is aconventional mineral fertilizer composition (ammonium sulfate) coated with the isolated microorganism. The graph shows that in 3 months, composition S2 presents a significant decline in the viability of the bacteria, which does not occur with composition S1.

[0024] Figure 2 illustrates the graph with the results of the monoammonium phosphate (MAP) stability test with composition S1 of the present invention, as described in example 1 , in comparison with composition S2, which is a conventional mineral fertilizer composition (ammonium sulfate) coated with the isolated microorganism.

[0025] Figure 3 illustrates the graph with the results of the stability test of the application of the composition of the present invention in the main mineral fertilizer formulations on the market, as described in example 5, namely: NPK 04-30-10, NPK 10-15-15 and NPK 02-20-20, in accordance with the composition below:

[0026] Figures 4 (A and B) illustrate an adhesion test, as described in example 6, of a mineral fertilizer (Mono-ammonium phosphate - 52% P2O5 and 11% N) coated with the agricultural composition of the present invention (Figure 4-A), as described in example 4, which showed significant adhesion when compared to the mineral fertilizer coated with bacteria and kaolin (Figure 4-B).

[0027] Figure 5 is a graph that describes the productivity of soybean plantations (Glycine max) without any type of fertilizer (treatment1), with fertilizer formulation 11-52-00 with bacteria without the protection of the present invention (treatment 2) and with fertilizer formulation 11-52-00 coated with the bacteria of the present invention, as per example 1 (treatment 3).Detailed description of the invention

[0028] The compositions of the present invention provide a stable microbiological count within a range suitable for the proposed objectives, presenting appropriate stability for a period of more than approximately 12 months, circumventing the problem of the technique in relation to the significant decline in the viability of microorganisms when added to organic, organomineral and mineral fertilizers. In addition, the solution of the present invention provides a significant improvement in the productivity of the cultivation of plant species.

[0029] In general, when microorganisms are added directly to the fertilizer, due to the significant drop in the microbiological count in the first few days, when the fertilizer reaches the application site, the microorganisms are no longer viable, impairing and even nullifying the biological effect proposed by the added microorganisms. The present invention surprisingly provides that the microorganisms are viable (i.e. , it provides a high microbiological count) when the fertilizer is added to the soil, thus allowing the proposed biological functions to occur without harm. This occurs because the composition of the present invention provides a favorable environment, making it possible to solve the technical problem of the decline in the microorganism count.

[0030] The addition of microorganisms allows the increase of beneficial properties arising from bacteria in the fertilizer, such as soil pH control, nutrient bioavailability, and directly influences the physiology of plant development, among others. In general, the solution developed here provides an integration between chemical and biological properties, which translates into an improvement in the chemical and physicalconditions of the soil, expressed by the mitigation of adverse effects, such as those caused by water stress. This occurs because, with the application of the present invention, microorganisms produce exopolysaccharides (biofilm) around the plant root, which reduces water loss. Bacteria present in the soil also produce biofilm, making it available to plants.

[0031] The presence of a coating with microorganisms has the capacity to promote greater biodiversity of microorganisms and consequent increase in productivity, which can reduce costs associated with production. Regarding the mechanisms associated with plant growth, the effects of microorganisms present on the surface of minerals can occur in several ways, such as optimizing the solubilization, mobility and transport of nutrients to the plant, thus maximizing the efficiency of the use of these nutrients by crops. This occurs because, with the application of the present invention, microorganisms metabolize elements present in the soil and leave them in possible forms that are easier to be assimilated by plants.

[0032] In this context, the agricultural compositions of the present invention provide adequate coating of fertilizers, preserving the microbiological count and ensuring that there is adhesion of the agricultural compositions to the fertilizer.

[0033] To ensure these desirable characteristics, a polymer derived from cellulose was used. In a preferred embodiment, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was used, which, in appropriate concentrations, ensured a surprising level of adhesion of the composition to mineral surfaces, as can be seen in example 7 and figure 4.

[0034] CMC is a hydrophilic polymer obtained by chemically modifying cellulose. The reaction that forms the CMC molecule occurs through the introduction of -CH2-COOH groups into the cellulose chains. The presence of -CH2-COOH groups in the chain produces aseparation of the polymer chains and allows greater water penetration, giving CMC solubility in water even at low temperatures. It is a material capable of gelling when in contact with water, forming hydrogels. CMC hydrogel is a dispersed, semi-solid system formed by CMC dispersed in an aqueous medium, and is classified as a three-dimensional viscoelastic material.

[0035] In the composition disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, CMC was used to provide better adhesion of the composition to the surface of minerals, typically fertilizers. The inventors surprisingly found that, as long as it is used in adequate concentrations, such as those disclosed herein, which are approximately 0.5% to approximately 2.5% of the composition, the CMC in contact with the natural moisture of the mineral surface and the humidity of the environment is capable of forming small concentrations of hydrogels that will assist in the adhesion of the coating to the minerals, typically fertilizers.

[0036] In order to optimize the adhesion of the present composition to mineral surfaces, typically fertilizers, it was also necessary for the inventors to carefully investigate the ideal concentration of the composition to be used as a coating, in addition to the average diameter of the constituent particles of the agricultural composition. With regard to the ideal concentration, it was concluded that concentrations of the agricultural composition to be used as a coating in the range of approximately 0.2 to approximately 2.0% by total weight of the fertilizer composition presented the best results for adhesion to mineral surfaces, typically fertilizers. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of the agricultural composition is approximately 0.4 to approximately 1 % by total weight of the fertilizer composition.

[0037] The investigation in relation to the particle size of the agricultural composition to be used as a coating demonstrated that particles with a diameter in the range of approximately 0.09 to approximate-ly 1 , preferably approximately 0.09 to approximately 0.5 mm presented the best results for adhesion to the fertilizer. It is also revealed that it was found that particles with a diameter of less than 0.09 mm compromised the application of the coating, due to the large amount of dust dispersed in the air.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the agricultural composition comprises one or more silicates, one or more polymers derived from cellulose, one or more carbonates and / or oxides, one or more sugars and microorganisms. The one or more silicates may be selected from the group comprising kaolin, hydrated aluminum silicates and kaolinite group minerals such as dikite, nacrite, pholerite, anauxite, colirite and tuesite; the cellulose-derived polymer may be selected from the group comprising carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose and its isomers such as turanose, maltulose, leu- crose and trehalose; the carbonate may be selected from the group comprising calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, calcitic limestone, dolomitic limestone and magnesian limestone; the sugar may be selected from the group comprising glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose and its isomers such as turanose, maltulose, leucrose and trehalulose; and the microorganisms can be selected from the group comprising microorganisms of the genera bacillus, bradyrhizobium, trichoderma, pochonia, pseudomonas, paeni-bacillus, paecilomyces, brevibacillus, glomus, methylobacterium, penicillium, rhizobium and azospirillum.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, the silicate may be present in about 70% to about 90% of the composition, preferably about 80.07%, the sugar may be present in about 0.15% to about 1.50% of the composition, preferably about 0.24%, the carbonate may be present in about 1 .0% to about 30.0% of the composition, preferably about9.95%, the cellulose-derived polymer may be present in about 0.5% to about 2.5% of the composition, preferably about 1.0%, the microorganisms may be present in about 2.0% to about 15.0% of the composition, preferably about 8.74%.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the agricultural composition comprises approximately 85% silicate, approximately 1 % cellulose-derived polymer, approximately 10% carbonate, approximately 0.25% sugar, approximately 1 % oxide and approximately 2.75% microorganisms of the genera bacillus, bradyrhizobium, trichoderma, pochonia, pseudomonas, paenibacillus, paecilomyces, brevibacillus, glomus, methylobacterium, penicillium, rhizobium and azospirillum - depending on the crop and type of soil of interest.

[0041] In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the silicate is kaolin, the cellulose-derived polymer is carboxymethyl cellulose, the carbonate is calcium carbonate, the sugar is glucose, the oxide is magnesium oxide and the microorganisms are selected from the genera bacillus, bradyrhizobium, trichoderma, pochonia, pseudomonas, paenibacillus, paecilomyces, brevibacillus, glomus, methylobacterium, penicillium, rhizobium and azospirillum.

[0042] Another object of the present invention is a composition comprising one or more silicates, one or more polymers derived from cellulose, carbonates and / or oxides, one or more sugars and microorganisms and one or more fertilizers (fertilizer composition). In this embodiment of the invention, the one or more fertilizers are coated with the agricultural composition comprising one or more silicates, one or more polymers derived from cellulose, carbonates and / or oxides, one or more sugars and microorganisms, which is present in a concentration of about 0.2 to about 2%, preferably about 0.4% to about 1 %, calculated in relation to the total fertilizer composition (mass / mass).

[0043] In this embodiment, the one or more silicates may be se-lected from the group comprising kaolin, hydrated aluminum silicates and minerals of the kaolinite group such as dikite, nacrite, pholerite, anauxite, cholirite and tuesite, the cellulose-derived polymer may be selected from the group comprising carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose and their isomers such as turanose, maltulose, leucrose and trehalose, the carbonate may be selected from the group comprising calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, calcitic limestone, dolomitic limestone and magnesian limestone, the sugar may be selected from the group comprising glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose and their isomers such as turanose, maltulose, leucrose and trehalulose, and the microorganisms can be selected from the group comprising microorganisms of the genera bacillus, bradyrhizobium, trichoderma, pochonia, pseudomonas, paenibacillus, paecilomyces, brevibacillus, glomus, methylo- bacterium, penicillium, rhizobium and azospirillum.

[0044] In one embodiment of the invention, the silicate may be present in about 70% to about 90% of the composition, preferably about 80.07%, the sugar may be present in about 0.15% to about 1.50% of the composition, preferably about 0.24%, the carbonate may be present in about 1 .0% to about 30.0% of the composition, preferably about 9.95%, the cellulose-derived polymer may be present in about 0.5% to about 2.5% of the composition, preferably about 1.0%, the microorganisms may be present in about 2.0% to about 15.0% of the composition, preferably about 8.74%.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fertilizer composition comprises approximately 86% silicate, approximately 1% cellulose-derived polymer, approximately 10% carbonate, approximately 0.25% sugar and approximately 2.75% microorganisms of the genera bacillus, bradyrhizobium, trichoderma, pochonia, pseudomonas,paeni-bacillus, paecilomyces, brevibacillus, glomus, methylobacterium, penicillium, rhizobium and azospirillum - depending on the crop and type of soil of interest.

[0046] In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the silicate is kaolin, the cellulose-derived polymer is carboxymethyl cellulose, the carbonate is calcium carbonate, the sugar is glucose and the microorganisms are selected from the genera bacillus, bradyrhizobium, tricho- derma, pochonia, pseudomonas, paenibacillus, paecilomyces, brevibacillus, glomus, methylobacterium, penicillium, rhizobium and azospirillum.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the fertilizers are NPK 04-30-10, NPK 10-15-15 and NPK 02-20-20, among others. Typically the composition of fertilizers in relation to NPK can vary between about 0 and about 46% nitrogen, about 0 and about 52% P2O5 and about 0 and about 62% K2O EXAMPLES

[0048] In order to illustrate the present invention, several illustrative and non-limiting aspects of the subject matter detailed in this descriptive report are detailed below.EXAMPLE 1Production of the agricultural composition

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, composition S1 is obtained, which can be prepared in accordance with the steps below: a) Sieving the raw materials to be used in Mesh Tyler 170 sieves (0.090 mm opening), using the screen to formulate the next step. b) Mixture of 86.02% kaolin, 10.65% calcium carbonate, 1.08% carboxymethyl cellulose and 0.25% glucose. c) Drying the mixture in an oven at 110 °C for 2 hours; d) Waiting for the formulation to cool for 1 hour at roomtemperature; e) After cooling, adding the microorganisms to the formulation, namely: 0.4% bacillus subtilis, 0.4% bacillus thuringiensis, 0.4% bacillus licheniformis, 0.4% bacillus pumilus and 0.4% bacillus megate- rium* Obtaining a composition in powder formEXAMPLE 2Production of the agricultural composition

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, composition S1 is obtained, which can be prepared in accordance with the steps below: a) Sieving the raw materials to be used in Mesh Tyler 35 sieves (0.5 mm opening), using the strainer to formulate the next step. b) Mixture of 79.74% potassium feldspar, 12.90% dolomite, 0.40% fructose and 1 .96% ethyl cellulose. c) Drying the mixture in an oven at 110 °C for 2 hours; d) Waiting for the formulation to cool for 1 hour at room temperature; e) After cooling, adding the microorganisms to the formulation, namely: 1.0% bacillus subtilis, 1.0% bacillus thuringiensis, 1.0% bacillus licheniformis, 1 .0% bacillus pumilus and 1 .0% bacillus / negated u nr,* Obtaining a composition in powder formEXAMPLE 3Production of the agricultural composition

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be prepared in accordance with the steps below: a) Sieving the raw materials to be used on Mesh Tyler 70 sieves (0.21 mm opening), using the strainer to formulate the next step. b) Mixture of 76.02% kaolin, 15.69% calcium carbonate,6.08% carboxymethyl cellulose and 0.21% glucose. c) Drying the mixture in an oven at 110 °C for 2 hours; d) Waiting for the formulation to cool for 1 hour at room temperature; e) After cooling, adding the microorganisms to the formulation, namely: 1% azospirillum brasiliense and 1% azospirillum lipofer- um;* Obtaining a composition in powder formEXAMPLE 4Production of the agricultural composition

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be prepared in accordance with the steps below: a) Sieving the raw materials to be used on Mesh Tyler 45 sieves (0.354 mm opening), using the strainer to formulate the next step. b) Mixture of 74.02% kaolin, 15.69% calcium carbonate, 6.08% carboxymethyl cellulose and 0.21% glucose. c) Drying the mixture in an oven at 110 °C for 2 hours; d) Waiting for the formulation to cool for 1 hour at room temperature; e) After cooling, adding the microorganisms to the formulation, namely: 2% bradyrhizobium japonicum and 2% bradyrhizobium elkanir,* Obtaining a composition in powder formEXAMPLE 5Production of fertilizer composition (application of agricultural composition to fertilizers) a) Addition of 0.6% of the agricultural composition in relation to the mineral fertilizer to be coated, in relation to the total mass of the composition;b) Mixing until the fertilizer is completely coated by the composition with the support of the mixing equipment, in accordance with common practice in the technique.EXAMPLE 6Test of decay of the viability of microorganisms in the composition as obtained in example 1

[0053] Tests of decay of the viability of microorganisms were carried out in the composition as prepared in example 1 .

[0054] As can be seen in the figures of the present invention, the stability of microorganisms on the surface of the fertilizer was compared using the solution proposed in this invention. In addition, the comparison with the application of microorganisms without the use of the composition and direct application in the fertilizer is described. EXAMPLE 7Adhesion test of agricultural composition to fertilizers

[0055] Adhesion tests of the agricultural compositions of the present invention (as described in the examples above) to fertilizers were performed, as described below:Coating a mineral fertilizer (monoammonium phosphate) as per example 5 and perform the following tests:Sieving the mineral fertilizer through a 1mm sieve and measuring how much of the powder passed through the sieve, this indicates how much of the powder was released from the fertilizer (since 100% of the fertilizer has a granulometry greater than 2mm).

[0056] In another case, using the mineral fertilizer (monoammonium phosphate) and mixing it with a solution as described in example 1 . Sieving the mineral fertilizer through a 1 mm sieve and measuring how much powder was lost.

[0057] As a result, it was observed that when inserting the microorganisms on the surface of the fertilizer without the proposed solution,approximately 80% of the material was lost, while when adding the microorganisms together with the proposed solution, only 5% was lost.

[0058] Another way to visualize the adhesion of powder to the product is through the visual effect. When placing the two fertilizers on a black surface, it is possible to verify that the proposed solution does not present significant detachment, while the control (without the solution) presents a high detachment rate, as shown in figure 4.EXAMPLE 8Application of the fertilizer composition coated with the agricultural composition to plant species.

[0059] The agronomic experiment was conducted in the city of Maringa in the state of Parana. Soybeans (Glycine max) were planted. At the time of planting the seeds, fertilization was carried out in the planting line, that is, below the soil, as follows:Treatment 1 - without any type of fertilizer;Treatment 2 - fertilizer formulation 11-52-00 with bacteria without the protection of the present invention;Treatment 3 - fertilizer formulation 11-52-00 coated with the bacteria of the present invention, as per example 1 .Composition of fertilizer formulation 11-52-00: 100% monoammonium phosphate (MAP).

[0060] After harvesting and evaluating the results, the productivity graph was obtained, as shown in figure 5.

[0061] Analysis of the results makes it clear that the presence of the solution proposed in the present invention enabled an increase of 9 bags per planted hectare, thus proving the efficiency of the proposed solution.

[0062] The results obtained make it clear that the use of the technical solution disclosed herein is capable of maintaining the cell viability of the strains for a much longer period than when it is not used (asshown in figures 1 and 2). Additionally, as is clear from the results shown in Figure 3, it was possible to maintain the microbiological count over the course of 6 months without significant decreases in mineral formulations of the most common fertilizers, with different concentra- tions, and the composition of the present invention presents adequate adhesion to the fertilizers, as illustrated in Figure 4. Moreover, Figure 5 makes it clear that the present invention also provides a significant improvement in the productivity of the cultivation of plant species.

[0063] It should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An agricultural composition, characterized by the fact that it comprises one or more silicates, one or more polymers derived from cellulose, one or more carbonates and / or oxides, one or more sugars and microorganisms.

2. The agricultural composition, in accordance with claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the one or more silicates are selected from the group comprising kaolin, hydrated aluminum silicates and minerals of the kaolinite group such as dikite, nacrite, pholerite, anauxite, colirite and tuesite, the one or more polymers derived from cellulose are selected from the group comprising carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose and its isomers such as furanose, maltulose, leucrose and trehalulose, the one or more carbonates are selected from the group comprising calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, calcitic limestone, dolomitic limestone and magnesian limestone, the one or more sugars are selected from the group comprising glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose and its isomers, such as furanose, maltulose, leucrose and trehalulose, and the microorganisms are selected from the genera bacillus, bradyrhizobium, trichoderma, pochonia, pseudomonas, paeni- bacillus, paecilomyces, brevibacillus, glomus, methylobacterium, peni- cillium, rhizobium and azospirillum.

3. The agricultural composition, in accordance with claim 2, characterized by the fact that the silicate is present in about 70% to about 90% of the composition, preferably about 80.07%, the sugar is present in about 0.15% to about 1.5% of the composition, preferably about 0.24%, the carbonate is present in about 1.0% to about 30.0% of the composition, preferably about 9.95%, the cellulose-derived polymer is present in about 0.5% to about 2.5% of the composition, preferablyabout 1.0%, the microorganisms are present in about 2.0% to about 15.0% of the composition, preferably about 8.74%.

4. The agricultural composition in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that it comprises approximately 86.5% silicate, approximately 1% cellulose-derived polymer, approximately 10% carbonate, approximately 0.5% sugar and approximately 2% microorganisms.

5. The agricultural composition in accordance with any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the silicate is kaolin, the cellulose-derived polymer is carboxymethyl cellulose, the carbonate is calcium carbonate, the sugar is glucose, the oxide is magnesium oxide and the microorganisms are selected from the genera bacillus, brady- rhizobium, trichoderma, pochonia, pseudomonas, paenibacillus, paeci- lomyces, brevibacillus, glomus, methylobacterium, penicillium, rhizobi- um and azospirillum.

6. A composition in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that it has a diameter in the range of about 0.09 mm to about 1 mm, preferably about 0.09 mm to about 0.5 mm.

7. A fertilizer composition, characterized by the fact that it comprises the composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, and fertilizers.

8. The composition, in accordance with claim 7, characterized by the fact that the fertilizers are selected from NPK 04-30-10, NPK 10-15-15 and NPK 02-20-20.

9. The composition, in accordance with claim 7, characterized by the fact that the fertilizer is coated with the composition as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. The composition, in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that it provides an adequate microbiological count for a period greater than about 12 months.

11. Use of a composition as defined in any one of claims 1cterized by the fact that it is for the coating of fertilizers.

12. Use of a composition as defined in any one of claims 7 cterized in that it is for application to plant species.

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