Potassium Fertilizer with Solubilizing Microorganisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current soil potassium management strategies using potassium solubilizing microorganisms either rely on separate applications with high labor intensity and cost, or are limited to high potassium content soils with limited crop benefits, due to challenges in potassium availability and distribution in the soil.
Innovation Solution
A fertilizer formulation combining a high potassium content source with potassium solubilizing microorganisms, allowing simultaneous application and improving potassium availability and distribution, thereby enhancing crop health and yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If potassium solubilizing microorganisms are applied separately from potassium fertilizer, then the microorganisms can solubilize potassium from insoluble forms, but the application scheme becomes complex and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines potassium solubilizing microorganisms and potassium fertilizer into a single composite fertilizer product. This merging eliminates the need for separate application operations, reducing labor intensity and simplifying the application scheme while maintaining the potassium solubilization function and fertilizer effectiveness
2Ease of operation
If only potassium solubilizing microorganisms are applied without potassium fertilizer, then the application is simple, but potassium availability remains limited and crop benefits are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite fertilizer merges microorganisms and potassium fertilizer in a single product, maintaining application simplicity while ensuring adequate potassium availability through the combined action of microorganism-mediated solubilization and direct fertilizer supply
3Productivity
If high concentration of potassium fertilizer is used, then the number of applications is reduced, but the chemical environment may be harsh for microorganism survival
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inert carriers and protective matrices as intermediaries to encapsulate or associate microorganisms with potassium fertilizer particles. This intermediary layer shields microorganisms from the harsh chemical environment of concentrated potassium fertilizer while allowing nutrient transfer, enabling both high fertilizer concentration and microorganism survival
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 formulation increases crop health and yield by ensuring the microorganisms remain viable and effective, reducing the number of applications needed and improving potassium utilization, leading to improved morphological, physiological, and nutritional characteristics in crops like tomatoes and potatoes.
Implementation Method 1
microbial production of protons and organic ligands, hydroxyl anions and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), which can either directly dissolve rock potassium or chelate silicon ions to bring potassium into the solution
Implementation Method 2
directly dissolve rock potassium
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to fertilizers comprising a first source of potassium in an amount providing more than 10 wt. % (by total weight of the fertilizer) potassium (as K2O) and potassium solubilizing microorganisms. It also relates to methods of manufacturing these fertilizers and to uses of these fertilizers for providing nutrients to plants.