Liquid Fertilizer Chelation for Bacterial Viability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed fertilizers face challenges in achieving high concentrations of nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum while maintaining a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, which is essential for promoting biological nitrogen fixation without harming beneficial bacteria, as previous formulations were either too acidic or saline, leading to high mortality rates of Bradyrhizobium bacteria.
Innovation Solution
A liquid fertilizer composition comprising chelated nickel, cobalt, and monoethanolamine molybdate, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, is developed, using a method that involves mixing a molybdenum-containing solution with water, adding chelated cobalt and nickel compounds, and incorporating seaweed to create a stable, homogenous mixture that is compatible with seed inoculants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentrations of nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum are used in seed fertilizer, then the effectiveness of biological nitrogen fixation is improved, but the pH becomes too acidic and salinity increases, causing high mortality of beneficial bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses chelating agents (such as EDTA, amino acids, or organic acids) as intermediaries to bind with nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum, forming stable chelate complexes. These chelates act as mediators that deliver the micronutrients to the bacteria in a biologically available form without causing the harmful acidic or saline effects of traditional inorganic salts, thus resolving the contradiction between nutrient effectiveness and bacterial survival
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical form and parameters of the micronutrient sources from traditional inorganic salts to organic chelates. This parameter change allows maintaining high concentrations of Ni, Co, and Mo while controlling pH and salinity levels, thereby improving nitrogen fixation effectiveness without increasing bacterial mortality
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional sources of cobalt and molybdenum are used, then the fertilizer can be produced easily, but the salinity and acidity increase, harming the beneficial bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the fertilizer formulation by replacing inorganic salt sources with organic chelate sources. This parameter change reduces the salinity and acidity while maintaining ease of manufacture through established chelation processes, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and bacterial harm
3Quantity of substance
If high concentrations of micronutrients are formulated, then the nutrient density is improved, but the volume of product required for application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameters by formulating high levels of micronutrients (Ni, Co, Mo) in a concentrated liquid format. This allows achieving high nutrient density in a small volume that can be easily applied to seeds, resolving the contradiction between nutrient density and application volume
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 solution provides a stable, high-concentration nutrient mixture that effectively supports biological nitrogen fixation without significantly reducing the viability of beneficial bacteria, even when used with pre-inoculated seeds, and is suitable for various seed types, including soybeans.
Implementation Method 1
adding a chelated cobalt compound and a chelated nickel compound to the homogenous mixture and agitating at least until the chelated cobalt compound and the chelated nickel compound are substantially dissolved in the homogenous mixture
Implementation Method 2
a liquid fertilizer composition comprising a source of nickel, a source of cobalt, and monoethanolamine molybdate
Data Source
AI summary
Stable, liquid fertilizer compositions comprising nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum are provided herein. The fertilizer compositions are capable supplying high levels of micronutrients to seeds at low doses of the compositions. The compositions generally have low salinity and a pH from about 6.0 to about 8.0, thereby avoiding the high mortality rates of beneficial soil bacteria, which has been a major problem with prior seed fertilizers. Also provided herein are methods of forming and using the fertilizer compositions. Notably, it has been discovered that monoethanolamine molybdate solutions can be used to provide high levels of molybdenum to seed surfaces in a stable liquid formulation.