Fermented Microbial Fertilizer for Stable Live Cultures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microbial fertilizers face challenges with microorganism stability and viability due to environmental sensitivity, leading to population decline and inefficiencies in incorporating live microorganisms into nutrient-rich fertilizers, resulting in increased labor and waste.
Innovation Solution
A microbial fertilizer composition comprising digestates, seaweed, cellulose sources, nutrient supplements, humic substances, and probiotics, along with a microbial consortium, stabilized through fermentation and aeration, to enhance microbial stability and efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microorganisms are incorporated into nutrient-rich fertilizer, then fertilizer effectiveness is improved, but microorganism viability deteriorates due to toxicity and environmental sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-fermenting the microbial consortium in a controlled environment before incorporation into the fertilizer matrix. This preliminary fermentation step allows the microorganisms to acclimate to the nutrient-rich conditions and establishes their viability before exposure to the complete fertilizer formulation, thereby maintaining high microbial effectiveness while improving compatibility with nutrient-rich environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting pH, temperature, and oxygen availability during the fermentation process to optimize microbial survival. By controlling these parameters during the pre-fermentation stage, the patent creates favorable conditions for microorganism viability while still allowing them to function effectively in the final nutrient-rich fertilizer product.
2Reliability
If microbial cultures are stored and applied separately from fertilizer, then microorganism stability is improved, but labor requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the microbial consortium directly into the fertilizer formulation through a unified fermentation process. This combination allows the microorganisms to be stabilized during the fermentation process itself, eliminating the need for separate storage and application steps while maintaining microbial stability and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by designing the fermentation process to simultaneously accomplish multiple objectives: stabilizing the microorganisms, concentrating the microbial population, and integrating them with the fertilizer matrix. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate processes for each function, thereby reducing labor requirements and application complexity.
3Productivity
If microbial populations are concentrated to compensate for death during shipping and storage, then initial activity is improved, but waste increases due to population decline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the concentration and stabilization of the microbial consortium during the pre-fermentation process before the product reaches the user. This preliminary concentration step ensures that the microorganisms are already at optimal population levels and stability when applied, eliminating the need for over-concentration to compensate for subsequent death during shipping and storage, thereby reducing microbial waste.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition provides improved nutrient uptake, plant growth, pest resistance, and soil conditioning by maintaining high microbial viability and stability, reducing waste and labor through a stable, user-friendly formulation.
Implementation Method 1
The composition is fermented for a period of time sufficient to stabilize the culture and/or increase the population of the microbial consortium.
Implementation Method 2
The composition is aerated during the fermentation process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to microbial fertilizer compositions, and methods for their production and utilization. Specifically, the disclosure encompasses fertilizer compositions incorporating a stable culture of live microorganisms. The methods described herein involve the manufacture of these fertilizer compositions, as well as their application for various purposes, including but not limited to, plant nutrition, promotion of plant growth, resistance against pests, and soil conditioning.