WO2011070586A1

WO2011070586A1 - Organic fertilizer for sustainable crop growth and management

Info

Publication number: WO2011070586A1
Application number: PCT/IN2010/000716
Authority: WO
Inventors: Augustine Rajendran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-07
Filing date: 2010-11-01
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chemical free neem based organic fertilizer for agriculture and horticulture crops and more specifically relates to the process of manufacturing the said organic fertilizer that supplies nutrients to plants, controls root borne disease and pests in the plants. Specifically, the present invention is a unique process of extraction of neem kernel integrated with lignite, which gives a high quality chemical free fertilizer. More particularly, the organic fertilizer is rich in organic carbon and contains N, P, K, Ca and Mg, besides neutral PH and EC less than 3 dS/ m and is also free from any toxic effects, health hazards and environmental friendly for human, animals and birds.

Description

ORGANIC FERTILIZER FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP GROWTH AND MANGEMENT FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chemical free neem based organic fertilizer for agriculture and horticulture crops and more specifically relates to the process of manufacturing the said organic fertilizer that supplies nutrients to plants, controls root borne disease and pests in the plants. Specifically, the present invention is a unique process of extraction of neem kernel integrated with lignite, which gives a high quality chemical free fertilizer. Particularly, the present invention relates to an innovative neem based organic fertilizer prepared through integration of naturally available material by unique process, which is used for agriculture and horticulture crops, etc mainly as soil application. More particularly, the organic fertilizer is rich in organic carbon and contains N, P, K, Ca and Mg, besides neutral pH and EC less than 3 dS/ m and is also free from any toxic effects, health hazards and environmental friendly for human, animals and birds. Further, the present invention plays a multiple role in crop eco system by eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides and provides a road map towards crop growth and management.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Fertilizers supply nutrients to the soil needed to produce various crops. One of the principal goals of agricultural science has been to invent a perfect fertilizer composition that is capable of optimizing plant production when used at minimum application rates and that, subsequently, will not degrade or adversely affect the soil ecosystem.

There are several organic fertilizers available in the industry derived independently either from waste material from oil palms trees, rubber effluents, sea weeds and seeds of several plants or from artificial sources. However, the levels of macro and micro nutrients in these organic fertilizers are below that of recommended levels thus requiring additional application of inorganic fertilizers or application of large quantities of organic fertilizers to achieve the desired levels. The application of inorganic fertilizers are now not encouraged due to environmental considerations and the non-compliance with sustainable modes of cultivation while the application of large quantities in the field on a large scale is not practically possible due to logistical problems and this also makes crop susceptible to pest and disease attack besides poor yield. Some attempts have been made in the past to deal with overcoming the said limitations of the prior art as given below. US20070227213 relates to a neem based composition for coating nitrogenous fertilizer which reduces de-nitrification and leaching losses of the nitrogenous fertilizer and also increases the efficiency of the use of the fertilizer by the crops and the yield of crops.

WO2008004244 discloses a new chemical free fertilizer from decomposed neem leaves extract. It is a chemical free fertilizer useful for crops, fruits and vegetables in which there is no any type of harmful chemical, insecticide or pesticide that is affecting the health of the human being as well as the animals and birds.

1 104/DEL/2007 relates to herbal formulation comprises of the extracts of plants possessing pest control activity against various kinds of agriculturally noxious pests and also used as bio- fertilizer, fungicide, soil enhancer and soil binder and a process for the preparation thereof US2003170330 related to the extraction of azardirachtin from the neem seed kernel, wherein a storage stable neem oil-based emulsion is prepared in concentrate form for pesticide use and it also relates to controlling pests by combining extracts of neem and custard apple, wherein the custard apple does not affect the pesticidal properties of the limonoids.

US6695892 relates to a method for the production of an organic fertilizer of humic-like nature of a special composition as well as its use, wherein the fertilizer can be used as a close-to-nature material for sustainable plant nutrition and soil improvement.

There is a growing worldwide demand by consumers that all agricultural products both for the food and non-food industries must be from sustainable modes of cultivation using products such as fertilizers that are naturally derived without the use of inorganically derived products, such as fertilizers manufactured from by-products of the petroleum industry. Hence, there is a rapidly growing demand for organic fertilizers that have levels of macro, secondary and micro nutrients which are comparable to that of inorganic fertilizers when applied at the same dosages and intensity, which contributes for total uptake in plants. The development of organic fertilizer entirely from naturally derived sources with the required specifications is for purposes of satisfying this growing demand in the agricultural industry.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

One or more of the problems of the conventional prior art may be overcome by various embodiments of the present invention. The basic object of the present invention is directed to provide a chemical free neem based organic fertilizer for agriculture and horticulture crops.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an organic fertilizer to supply nutrients to the agriculture and horticulture crops and thus reduces leaching, volatilization and fixation losses of fertilizers. It is another object of the invention to provide a neem based organic fertilizer which contains high organic carbon content.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an organic fertilizer for agriculture and horticulture crops, wherein the product comprises of:

Neem Kernel upto 55%; and

Lignite treated with dolomite CaMg (Co₃)₂ up to 45%.

Another object of the invention is to provide a neem based organic fertilizer which contains optimum level of Ca: Mg or secondary elements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an organic fertilizer that can control root borne disease and pests in agriculture and horticulture crops.

Another object of the invention is to provide a neem based organic fertilizer, which increases the efficient use of fertilizer by the crops and the yield of crops.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a neem based organic fertilizer, which increases the physiological status of the crops. It is another object of the present invention to provide an organic fertilizer which can be used as soil application.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an organic fertilizer for agriculture and horticulture crops, wherein the end product is also packed in pellet form. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a chemical free neem based organic fertilizer composition for agriculture and horticulture crops comprising:

Neem kernel powder- upto55%; and

Lignite treated with dolomite CaMg (Co₃)_2-upto 45%,

wherein the neem kernel is extracted from neem oil and/or cake, and

wherein the lignite is treated with dolomite CaMg (Co₃)₂ in the ratio of 35% and 10% w/w for converting the lignite dust from acidic to neutral pH condition.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a chemical free neem based organic fertilizer, wherein the composition further comprising:

Organic carbon more than 20%;

Nitrogen more than 2%;

Potassium more than 1%,

Calcium 6%; and

Magnesium 1%,

with pH of 6.8 and EC <3 dS/ m

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a chemical free neem based organic fertilizer, wherein the neem cake includes:

Nitrogen more than3%;

Phosphorous more than 0.7%;

Potassium more than 0.8%; and

Oil less than 8% In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a chemical free neem based organic fertilizer, with enhanced water retention characteristics comprising:

Neem kernel powder;

Lignite treated with dolomite CaMg (Co₃)_2;

Organic carbon;

Nitrogen;

Potassium;

Calcium;

Magnesium; and

Phosphorous

In the above said aspect of the invention, the lignite is in neutral pH condition.

Also, the oil is less than 8%.

Further, the maximum/critical limit of Ca:Mg ranges from 2:1 to 8: 1.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the end product is pelletized to the average size of about 3.5 mm to about 6 mm diameter.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of preparing chemical free neem based organic fertilizer for agriculture and horticulture crops comprising:

Separating neem seeds by decortications;

Grading and sieving the neem seed kernel against any impurities;

Drying the pure neem kernel; Crushing the neem kernel by cold pressed method to obtain neem oil and neem kernel cake;

Powdering the cold pressed neem kernel cake;

Treating lignite powder with dolomite CaMg (Co₃)₂ and converting the lignite from acidic to alkaline/neutral pH;

Mixing the powdered neem kernel cake with treated lignite;

Blending the above said mixture with 1% w/w neem oil for ease in pellet operation; and Pelletizing the end product,

wherein during decortications neem kernel arid husk is separated, and

wherein 50% w/w of neem kernel cake is used for blending.

In the above said method, the lignite powder is mixed with CaMg (Co3)₂ in the ratio of 3.5: 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, according to the present invention, a chemical free organic fertilizer is provided for supplying nutrients to the agriculture and horticulture crops, which reduces leaching, volatilization and fixation losses of fertilizers. The invention is a neem based fertilizer which contains high organic carbon content and contains optimum level of Calcium, Magnesium or secondary elements. The invention also provides for a unique process of extraction of neem kernel is done integrated with lignite, which gives a high quality chemical free fertilizer.

During the application of the fertilizer in the crops, following are not required:

i) Use of Chemical pesticide or insecticide

ii) 50% chemical fertilizers ( suited for Integrated nutrient management)

iii) 50% irrigation The various steps involved in the preparation of the organic fertilizer according to the present invention are given below:

Step 1 : Best quality neem seeds are collected and are dried in the yard under sun for 2- 4 hrs. Step 2: The dried neem seeds are sieved for removing sand and stone and cleaned neem seeds are decorticated. During decortications neem kernel and husk is separated. The pure neem kernel is allowed to dry for 2-3 hrs and extracted to obtain extraction of neem oil and neem kernel cake by cold pressed method using rotary.

Step 3: The obtained by-product neem kernel cake, which is brown in colour, is powdered with maximum of 7-8% oil and packed in suitable bags and kept ready for blending.

Step 4: Similarly Lignite dust is treated with dolomite CaMg (Co₃)₂ in the ratio of 35% and 10% w/w respectively. This is done to bring the pH from acidic to neutral condition and kept ready for blending with neem kernel powder. The analysis part of Ca:Mg indicates ratio of 6: 1 , wherein the maximum critical limit ranges from 2: 1 to 8: 1.

Step 5: Neem kernel powder and treated lignite is mixed at the ration of 55 % and 45% w/w, blended for 5 min and pelletized at 3.5mm dia. The composition contains total N>2%, >1% and Organic Carbon >20% besides Ca 6% and Mg 1%. Neem oil with the ratio of 1% w/w in total mixture is added during blending for ease in pellet operation.

Step 6: The final product organic fertilizer is pelletized and allowed for drying up to 15 min and then packed.

After processing, the organic fertilizer is allowed to dry under natural condition for 2-3 hrs and is kept ready for packing and application to crops.

Moreover, the end product obtained is also packed in pellet form, wherein the process comprises of:

a. Sending the end product to the pellet machine; b. Collecting 3.5mm diameter of the end product; and

c. Drying the same for 15 minutes and finally packed.

Advantageously, the end product is capable to work as:

1. A good organic fertilizer, contains organic carbon more than 20%, macro ( N: >2% and K>1%, micro and secondary nutrients ( Ca:6% and Mg: l%) with pH of 6.8 and EC >3 dS/ m;

2. A growth stimulant;

3. No use of insecticide and pesticide;

4. Reduced irrigation intervals;

5. With enhanced productivity;

6. compatibility with all fertilizers and bio fertilizers;

7. Stimulation of Microbial activity; and

8. Improved fertilizer efficiency;

This chemical free or organic fertilizer is tested under multi location trials with nine crops in four states. This organic fertilizer has proved and eradicated the attack of wild pigs in fields and had wide varied positive results against pest and diseases in plants and trees.

The application of the organic fertilizer produced according to the present invention on various kinds of crops is illustrated in the following examples:

Example 1: When tested against cardamom it is found that the soil was porous and free from wilt, etc. The organic fertilizer was helpful in reclamation process in problematic soils with high alkaline and sodic content and the problem was rectified during the growth process. The sizes of the berry were bigger than control and have fetched a premium price with 20-26% higher yield. Example 2: Against paddy crop, it could, notice more number of tillers with free from stem borers, leaf folder, brown plant hopper and blast. The grain size was uniform with completely filled and no chaffy grains was observed. No use of chemical pesticide. More than 30% yield increase was observed.

Example 3: Against banana and turmeric there was a total elimination of nematodes and wilt attack with uniform size and increased weight.

Example 4: When tested against carnation flowers, gerbera, roses, tulips, strawberry it is found that there was a uniform crop growth and the crop was free from pests and diseases. The shelf life of the flowers was extended to 7 days more.

Example 5: In vegetables like brinjal, flowering was more and harvesting period was extended to +2 months. The crop was free from shoot and fruit borer and virus attack. The crop growth was uniform and healthy with increased yield of 35-40%.

Example 6: In grapes, more number of tertiary roots was noticed, which lead to more number of flowers and leaf sprouting. The berries were of uniform size and increased weight per bunch. The crop was free from insect pest attack and healthy. Soil condition was highly porous and free from any root borne diseases.

In the light of the above examples, this invention is for the welfare of the human beings as well as the living things. The details of the invention, its object and advantages are explained here above is to be understood that the invention, as fully described herein is not intended to be limited by the objects mentioned herein. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Thus the chemical free fertilizer according to the present invention when used in crops, vegetables and fruit's trees, the diseases affecting the human beings as well as the animals and birds by the use of chemical fertilizer, insecticides and pesticides may be eradicated. Moreover organic fertilizers increase physical and biological nutrient storage mechanisms in soils, mitigating risks of over-fertilization. Further the nutrient content, solubility, and nutrient release rate are typically much lower than mineral (inorganic) fertilizers.

Claims

1. A chemical free neem based organic fertilizer composition for agriculture and horticulture crops comprising:

Neem kernel powder- upto55%; and

Lignite treated with dolomite CaMg (Co₃)₂. upto 45%,

wherein the neem kernel is extracted from neem oil and/or cake, and

2. A chemical free neem based organic fertilizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition further comprising:

Organic carbon more than 20%;

Nitrogen more than 2%;

Potassium more than 1%,

Calcium 6%; and

Magnesium 1 %,

with pH of 6.8 and EC <3 dS/ m

3. A chemical free neem based organic fertilizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the neem cake includes:

Nitrogen more than3%;

Phosphorous more than 0.7%;

Potassium more than 0.8%; and

Oil less than 8%

4. A chemical free neem based organic fertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3, with enhanced water retention characteristics comprising:

Neem kernel powder;

Lignite treated with dolomite CaMg (Co₃)_2;

Organic carbon;

Nitrogen;

Potassium;

Calcium;

Magnesium; and

Phosphorous

5. A chemical free neem based organic fertilizer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lignite is in neutral pH condition.

6. A chemical free neem based organic fertilizer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the oil is less than 8%.

7. A chemical free neem based organic fertilizer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the maximum/critical limit of Ca:Mg ranges from 2: 1 to 8: 1.

8. A chemical free neem based organic fertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein the end product is pelletized to the average size of about 3.5 mm to about 6 mm diameter.

9. A method of preparing chemical free neem based organic fertilizer for agriculture and horticulture crops as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:

Separating neem seeds by decortications;

Grading and sieving the neem seed kernel against any impurities; Drying the pure neem kernel;

Crushing the neem kernel by cold pressed method to obtain neem oil and neem kernel cake;

Powdering the cold pressed neem kernel cake;

Mixing the powdered neem kernel cake with treated lignite;

wherein during decortications neem kernel and husk is separated, and

wherein 50% w/w of neem kernel cake is used for blending.

10. A method of preparing chemical free neem based organic fertilizer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lignite powder is mixed with CaMg (Co₃)₂ in the ratio of 3.5: 1.