Fertilizer compositions and methods of making and using same

Abstract

Fertilizer compositions for plant production are described, comprised of decontaminated manure and Bacillus spores, preferably a humic acid derived from lignite and, optionally, one or more of N compounds, P compounds, K compounds, and combinations of two or more of these compounds. Preferred compositions are those wherein the ingredients are blended into an admixture resulting in a granular product. Other preferred compositions are those blended into an admixture resulting in a powdered product. Preferably, the ingredients are formed into hardened prills or pellets. Processes for production and use are also presented.

1 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . A method of making a fertilizer composition comprising decontaminated manure and  Bacillus  spores, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) treating raw manure to form a decontaminated manure; and   b) combining the decontaminated manure with a second composition comprising  Bacillus  spores to produce the fertilizer composition.   
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62  comprising a step (c) of forming the fertilizer composition into prills or pellets, and adding humic acid as a hardening agent, either in the second composition of step (b), or added during said step (c). 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the humic acid is selected from the group consisting of leonardite and potassium humate. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 62  wherein step a) comprises contacting the raw manure with a hypochlorite compound selected from the group consisting of calcium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the hypochlorite compound is added at about 0.5 to about 3.0 percent by weight of dry ingredients. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the second composition comprising  Bacillus  spores is prepared as a water suspension prior to step (b). 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 62  wherein step a) comprises contacting the raw manure with a mineral acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the mineral acid is added in sufficient quantity to reduce pH of the partially decontaminated manure below 3.0. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 62  wherein step a) comprises a pit composting process, the pit composting process running for a period of time ranging from about 2 to about 3 years. 
     
     
         71 . A process according to  claim 62  wherein step a) comprises a drying process running for a period of time long enough to render a moisture content of the substantially decontaminated manure below 20 percent. 
     
     
         72 . A process according to  claim 71  wherein the drying process is a solar drying process. 
     
     
         73 . A method of making a fertilizer product, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) producing a decontaminated manure;   b) combining the decontaminated manure of step (a) with a second composition comprising  Bacillus  spores to produce a fertilizer composition;   c) adding humic acid from an external source to the fertilizer composition to form a modified fertilizer composition; and   d) forming the fertilizer product from the modified fertilizer composition under conditions of temperature and pressure suitable to produce the product.