Efficient fertilizer and enzyme-assisted method of production

Abstract

Slow-release fertilizer is produced by composting animal manure with a magnesium-rich compound The temperature of this mixture is maintained at 20-30° C. and the pH is maintained between 7-10. Urease is added to the mixture. Next, the mixture is inoculated with bacteria of the species Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus globisporus, or Bacillus fusiformis. The mixture is then allowed to incubate for about 14 days to form magnesium ammonium phosphate. Optionally, phosphatase, an enzyme promoting the formation of phosphate from phosphorus-rich organic compounds, is added with the urease enzyme to increase the yield of magnesium-ammonium phosphate.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A process for producing slow-release fertilizer from animal waste comprising the steps of: 
 (a) mixing the animal waste with a water-soluble magnesium salt;    (b) adjusting the pH of the mixture from (a) to between 7 and 10;    (c) adding urease enzyme to the mixture resulting from (b);    (d) inoculating the mixture resulting from (c) with bacteria; and    (e) maintaining the mixture resulting from (d) at 25-30° for about 14 days;    whereby magnesium ammonium phosphate is formed.    
     
     
         2 . The process in accordance with claim ( 1 ) wherein the water-soluble magnesium is selected from the group consisting of magnesium carbonate and magnesium acetate.  
     
     
         3 . The process in accordance with claim ( 1 ) wherein the mixture resulting from step (c) is inoculated with bacteria selected from the group consisting of the group consisting of  Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus globisporus,  and  Bacillus fusiformis.    
     
     
         4 . The process in accordance with claim ( 1 ) further comprising the step of adding a phosphatase enzyme to the mixture.  
     
     
         5 . The process in accordance with claim ( 1 ) further comprising the step of adding a urease enzyme to the mixture.  
     
     
         6 . The process in accordance with claim ( 1 ) wherein the adjustment of pH in step (b) is accomplished by aeration of the mixture resulting from step (a).