Pyroglutamic Acid Fertiliser for Soil Potassium Solubilisation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional potassium fertilizers are costly, environmentally polluting, and inefficient in replenishing assimilable potassium in soils, leading to reduced crop yields and soil fertility, necessitating a sustainable alternative that mimics root exudates to enhance potassium availability.
Innovation Solution
A fertiliser composition incorporating pyroglutamic acid as a plant-assimilable potassium booster, optionally combined with other root exudate components and additional fertilizers or biostimulants, to increase potassium levels in plant tissues and soils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional mineral potassium fertilizers are applied to replenish assimilable potassium in soils, then potassium availability to plants is improved, but production costs increase and environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses organic acids (citric acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid) as intermediary substances that mediate between the insoluble mineral potassium in soil and plant roots. These organic acids chelate with potassium ions, making them available to plants without requiring direct application of mineral fertilizers, thus reducing pollution while maintaining potassium availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention copies the natural mechanism by which plant roots exude organic acids to solubilize mineral potassium in the rhizosphere. Instead of directly applying mineral fertilizers, the product replicates this natural process by providing organic acids that mimic root exudates, enabling plants to access soil potassium reserves without external mineral fertilizer input.
2Productivity
If conventional mineral potassium fertilizers are used to maintain crop yields, then potassium levels in plant tissues are improved, but dependence on fossil fuels and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the soil-plant system to serve itself by activating the existing mineral potassium reserves in the soil through the action of organic acids. The organic acids facilitate the release of potassium from soil minerals, allowing the system to replenish its own potassium supply without external inputs of energy-intensive mineral fertilizers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the soil environment by introducing organic acids that alter the solubility and availability of mineral potassium. This parameter change (from insoluble to soluble potassium) enables plants to access previously unavailable potassium reserves, maintaining productivity without fossil fuel-dependent fertilizer production.
3Quantity of substance
If mineral potassium fertilizers are applied to replenish soil potassium, then potassium in solution is improved, but soil structure and fertility are degraded through inappropriate or abusive use
Solution Approach 1:
Organic acids serve as intermediary substances that facilitate potassium release from soil minerals through chelation, maintaining soil structure and fertility. This intermediary mechanism avoids the direct application of mineral fertilizers that can degrade soil health, while still replenishing potassium in solution through a soil-friendly process.
4Quantity of substance
If potassium-solubilising microorganisms are applied to increase potassium availability, then assimilable potassium is improved, but application complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the function of potassium-solubilizing microorganisms by directly applying organic acids that these microorganisms naturally produce. This approach replicates the beneficial effect of microbial activity (potassium solubilization) without the complexity of introducing and managing live microorganisms, simplifying the application process while achieving the same goal.
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
Enhances potassium availability and crop productivity, reducing the need for mineral fertilizers and environmental pollution, while maintaining or improving soil fertility and crop yields.
Implementation Method 1
increase the solubilisation of potassium present in the soil by the potassium-solubilising microorganisms already present in the soil
Implementation Method 2
bacteria that solubilise insoluble or mineral potassium, and thus play a central role in the cycle of said element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a fertiliser composition that includes a plant-assimilable potassium booster, the assimilable-potassium booster being pyroglutamic acid, a combination of the fertiliser composition together with other fertilisers and/or biostimulants; and its use in the form of a water-soluble powder, granules or a liquid pre-dissolved in water, for direct application by fertigation or by foliar application.