AU2010202667A1

AU2010202667A1 - Soil enhancement materials

Info

Publication number: AU2010202667A1
Application number: AU2010202667A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter David Jaeschke; David Glenn Ward
Original assignee: Debco Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Debco Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-26
Filing date: 2010-06-25
Publication date: 2011-01-20

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant (s): DEBCO PTY LTD Invention Title: SOIL ENHANCEMENT MATERIALS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 SOIL ENHANCEMENT MATERIALS FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates generally to soil enhancement materials for enhancing the growth and development of growing plants and to methods of manufacture and use of such materials. 10 in one form, the present invention relates to soil enhancement materials including compositions, formulated products and mixtures containing a viticulture product or a product derived from viticulture as one component of the soil enhancement materials, and to methods of manufacture is and use of such materials. In one form, the present invention relates to the use of viticulture products or products derived or obtained from viticulture or viticulture industries that are 20 incorporated into or mixed with other naturally occurring or derived materials for forming a soil enhancing material for adding to other plant growing medium or plant growing materials such as garden soils, in which plants grown in the plant growing medium have improved rates of growth, 25 yields, root development, foliage development and the like. The present invention finds particular application in formulating organic composting materials containing waste 30 materials from the viticulture industry wherein the incorporation of the waste material, together with other components, forms a soil enhancing material such as a compost material, that can be used as a plant growing 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 3 media or can be added to existing plant growing media to improve the existing growing media for growing plants to increase the development and/or growth of the plants, particularly growing media used in pots and similar 5 containers, such as potting mixes containing compost. Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to selected forms of soil enhancement materials, and particular forms of the viticulture 10 products used in such soil enhancement formulations, it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiments but rather the scope of the present invention is more extensive so as to include the use of viticulture products in other 15 formulations and soil enhancement materials containing other viticulture products, and to other methods of using the waste viticulture materials in connection with growing plants generally. 20 BACKGROUND The word "organic", in reference to organic gardening and/or farming, although difficult to precisely define, can be described generally as a form of agriculture that 25 relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control, mechanical cultivation and similar "non chemical" invasive practices to maintain soil productivity and control pests, and excludes or strictly limits the use of synthetic fertilisers and synthetic pesticides and 30 other man made toxic or harmful and/or chemically based materials which are generally referred to as being "chemicals" and are generally regarded or perceived as being harmful in one way or another. Organic gardening 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 -4 replenishes the resources present in the soils as it makes use of them to enhance the soil. Generally, organic materials work with nature, not against nature. The use of the term "organic" in the present specification, though 5 not precisely defined, is meant to convey the idea that the use of such materials is more in balance with nature than are synthetically or artificially created materials which are essentially man-made or derived by man, such as in laboratories, factories and similar. 10 Even with careful management, soils degrade over time and are depleted of the nutrients and minerals essential for healthy plant growth and development. The increasing use of chemical compounds in the environment, particularly in 15 the soil, such as for example, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, heavy metal compounds, mutagenic substances, carcinogenic substances, and similar, i.e. generally synthetic materials, all contribute to the degradation of soil and pose a danger to not only living organisms today 20 and also their progeny into the future. Long time excessive use of mineral fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and other potentially toxic substances, all being usually man-made artificial or synthetic materials, in agricultural regions to improve soils have lead to a 25 deterioration in not only the quality and usefulness of the soils but also to the accumulation of excessive amounts of potentially dangerous chemicals in the soils, which in turn prevent plants, grown in the depleted soils, from realising their maximum potential. Therefore, there 30 is a need to provide a more natural alternative to existing chemical based formulations that are added to soils and similar growing media in attempts to improve the soils for improved performance, such as for example, to 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 5 enable better growth and development of plants being grown in such improved or enhanced soils. One way of upgrading or improving the quality of Soil is 5 to provide a growing medium which is less deleterious to both soils and plants than existing synthetic chemical materials and which is more conducive to enhanced plant growth and development as well as having less harmful to the environment and the quality of soil itself by using 10 formulations made up of naturally derived or obtained materials or naturally occurring materials, rather than using artificial or synthetically derived materials. There is an increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental effectiveness which has lead to more 15 awareness of recycling and reuse of waste materials in order to prevent past wasteful practices when using readily available resources which have a tendency to deplete the environment of valuable natural resources unnecessarily. One area in which sustainability is 20 becoming more important is in the agriculture, horticulture, food growing areas and similar industries where there is an imperative to reuse waste materials derived from such industries in order to improve the quality of plants and yield of plants without taking too 25 much 'goodness' from the soils. One sector of these industries involves investigations into the use of waste materials to improve the environment. One example of such reuse is to use mulch or similar materials to reduce the rate of water loss in time of drought or low rainfall. 30 Mulches derived from vegetable matter have been used more or less successfully in the past to reduce evaporation or water loss from plants during times of low rainfall so that moisture is retained in the soil for longer periods 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 6 of time resulting in lower water usage and consumption and improved growth development of plants. Various different vegetation materials have been used in the past, including viticulture products. However, not all attempts to reuse 5 waste viticulture products have been successful. In many cases, such recycled viticulture products have had exactly the opposite effect on growing plants by being deleterious to plants by actually reducing the development or yield of plants, such as for example, by introducing harmful 10 substances into the soil or permitting the accumulation of potentially toxic substances in parts of the plants or increasing the amount of additives in the soil above a threshold level that could be tolerated by plants. Thus, the use of waste viticulture materials has been viewed 15 favourably in the past. One example of viticulture waste is the waste from vineyards and wine wastes. However, in the past there was reluctance on behalf of agriculturists to use wine wastes 20 in soil used to grow plants because studies have shown an increase in toxicity in soils to which such waste products have been added in the past. Surprisingly, it has now been found that the incorporation of viticulture wastes into composts, potting mixes and other plant growing 25 materials, as well as into soils and growing media, is beneficial and results in improved growth and development of the plants grown in soils containing such waste materials. The present invention is directed to such uses. 30 Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a soil enhancing material containing a viticulture product to improve the growing characteristics of plants 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 7 grown using such materials, mixtures, compositions or similar. Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to s provide an organic compost material and a method of using the compost material to enhance the growth and/or development of plants grown in the compost material in which the compost material contains at least one viticulture material or a material obtained from or 10 derived from a viticulture material Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide an organic compost mixture that can be added to existing soils to enhance the qualities of the soils and 15 to provide methods of enhancing soils by adding organic compost containing at least one viticulture product. Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a method of formulating a plant growing material 20 or media by incorporating a viticulture material into the plant growing material to improve the growing characteristics of the plant growing material. SUMMARY 25 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a soil enhancing material for promoting the growth and/or development of a plant growing in a growing medium containing the soil enhancing material, said soil 30 enhancing material comprising at least one viticulture material or a material derived from a viticulture material and at least one component derived from vegetation wherein the viticulture material and the at least one component 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 8 derived from vegetation are, or are derived from, naturally occurring materials. According to one aspect of the present invention there is 5 provided a soil enhancing material for promoting the growth and/or development of a plant when grown in a growing medium containing the soil enhancing material, said soil enhancing material comprising at least one viticulture material or a material derived from a io viticulture material, and at least two different components, both derived from vegetation, in which the at least one viticulture material and the at least two components derived from vegetation are, or are derived from, naturally occurring materials. 15 According to the present invention, there is provided a method of growing plants using a soil enhancing material to provide enhanced growth and/or development of the plant when grown in a growing medium containing the soil 20 enhancing medium comprising the steps of forming the soil enhancing medium, adding the soil enhancing material to a plant growing medium, planting the plant in the plant growing medium, and allowing the plant to grow and/or develop in the plant growing medium wherein the soil 25 enhancing material comprises at least one viticulture product or a material derived from a viticulture product, and at least one component derived from vegetation wherein the at least one viticulture material and the at least one component derived from vegetation are, or are derived 30 from, naturally occurring materials. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant grown or growing in a plant growing 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 9 medium for enhancing the growth and/or development of the plant, said plant growing medium comprising at least one soil enhancing material wherein the soil enhancing material comprises at least one viticulture material or a s material derived from a viticulture material and at least one component derived from vegetation in which the at least one viticulture material, and the at least one component derived from vegetation are or are derived from naturally occurring materials. 10 According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soil enhancement material for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant when growing in the soil enhancement material wherein the soil enhancement is material comprises from about 40% to about 95% by volume of bark in the form of pieces or particles from about 5% to 40% by volume of a viticulture product or a product derived from a viticulture material and from 5% to about 40% by volume of an organic humate. 20 According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soil enhancement material for promoting or enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant when grown in the soil enhancement material comprising at least 25 a bark component or a component derived from a bark material, a coir component or a component derived from coir, a viticulture component or a component derived from a viticulture material and organic humate wherein the viticulture product is obtained as a waste product from 30 viticulture and the organic humate is derived from a naturally occurring material. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24106/10 - 10 provided a method of forming a soil enhancing material to provide improved growth of a plant when grown in the soil enhancing material comprising the steps of selecting at least one viticulture product or a material derived from a 5 viticulture product, sizing the viticulture product to a predetermined size, or range of sizes, selecting at least one component derived from vegetation, sizing the vegetation product to a prearranged size or range of sizes, mixing the viticulture product and vegetation 10 product together to form a mixture of the viticulture product and vegetation product wherein the size of the viticulture product is compatible with the size of the vegetation product so that the mixture forms the soil enhancing material. 15 BRIEF DETAILS OF EMBODIMENTS Soil Enhancing Material 20 In one form, the soil enhancing formulation or soil enhancement material is a compost. Typically, the compost is one component of a potting mix or potting mix formulation or composition. More typically, the compost component is up to about 95% by volume of the potting mix 25 or potting mix formulation or composition. Typically, plants are grown in the potting mix. Examples of where plants grown in the potting mix made from the compost of the present invention are obtained include, domestic use, such as domestic gardens, pots, vegetable gardens, 30 commercial or industrial use, such as for example, nurseries, tree farms, show gardens, botanical gardens, or other commercial enterprises or the like. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 11 In one form, the organic compost includes two or more materials derived from vegetation, such as for example, coir (pith/peat) in the form of chips or mash, bark, humate or similar including combination of such materials. 5 In one form, the compost formulations are added to other plant growing media such as soils, including natural soils, artificial soils, man made soils or the like. In other forms, the compost formulations are added to other 10 components to form potting mixes. The plant growing materials are then added to pots in which plants are planted. Thus, the soil enhancement material of the present invention either forms the plant growing media itself, or is added as one component to form the plant 15 growing media. Typically, the growing medium to which the soil enhancement materials, including organic composts, of the present invention can be added, include existing soils, 20 substitute soils, artificial soils or substitutes for soils and the like prior to placing the enhanced soils into pots or other suitable containers. Typically, the amount of compost in the potting mixes or 25 similar formulations can be any value from about 50% by volume up to about 99% of the volume of the mix or formulation. Typically, the lower amount of compost can range from about 65%, more typically from about 70%, or the like. Typically, the upper amount of compost can be 30 up to about 95%, more typically up to about 90%. The amount can vary anywhere from about 50% to about 99% depending upon requirements, such as the nature and type of plant being grown in the mixture. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 12 VITICULTURE PRODUCT Typically, the viticulture product incorporated into the 5 formulations of the present invention is a viticulture waste product, preferably a wine industry waste product, more preferably a wine industry solid waste product. In one form, the waste material is grape marc, which comprises the residue of grape stalks, seeds and skins and io the like, generated from the crushing, draining and pressing stages of wine production. Other useful viticulture products include must, grape must, pomace, grape pomace, winery pomace and the like. 15 Generally, pomace or marc is the solid remains of grapes, olives, fruit or similar after pressing for liquid, such as juice or oil. It contains the skins, pulp, seeds, stems and similar of the fruit, particularly the grapes or 20 berries. Other forms of wine wastes useable in the present invention include in order of efficiency, (i) red wine waste containing seeds, (ii) red wine waste containing 25 skins and seeds, (iii) white wine waste containing seeds, (iv) white wine waste containing skins and seeds, and (v) red or white wine waste containing seeds, skins and stems. In one form, the grape marc or other viticulture product 30 itself or the compost containing the grape marc, or viticulture product has a moisture content from about 10% to 70%, typically in the range of about 45% to 65%, and more typically about 55%. Preferably, the compost has a 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 2406/10 - 13 moisture content around 55%. The grape marc or other viticulture product can be used as supplied or provided or the product can be pre-treated 5 before use, such as for example, by being treated, sized, washed, conditioned, improved, refined, filtered, or similar before incorporation into the compost mixture. For composting and degradation, the grape marc and raw bark are mixed together and allowed to compost jointly as 10 a single mixture in a windrow, typically an intimate mixture of the two materials, optionally, in the presence of one or more other additives. Typically, the grape marc has a seed content of greater 15 than about 10% by weight, more typically, greater than about 30%, preferably greater than about 35%, more preferably greater than about 40%, most preferably greater than about 50% by weight. Generally, it has been discovered that the greater the seed content of the 20 composted grape marc, the more efficacious the compost made from the grape marc. In one form, grape marc compost contains free potassium, typically in the range of 2 to 3% w/w, which is a 25 significant source of potassium for use by plants growing in soil containing grape marc, as well as plant marc nutrients including calcium, sulphur and magnesium which are present in low levels, such as less than 1% w/w while phosphorous is present in an amount of about 0.1 to 0.3% 30 w/w and nitrogen at about 1 to 2% w/w.. In some forms, the phosphorous and nitrogen are not necessarily available in plant absorbable forms. However, in some forms, the phosphorous and nitrogen can be converted into plant 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 14 absorbable forms. In some forms, soluble salts are present. MATERIAL DERIVED FROM VEGETATION 5 Typically, the soil enhancing material of the present invention, in the form of an organic compost, includes at least one material containing, obtained from or derived from a vegetation source. More typically, the plant 10 growing material includes two or more vegetation materials or materials derived from vegetation. Examples of suitable materials include the following. (i) BARK 15 Typically, one of the materials derived from vegetation is a material derived from a tree or shrub, such as for example, bark including raw bark, fresh bark, aged bark, treated bark or similar, including small amounts of 20 composted or partially composted bark. The bark prior to composting or ageing can be obtained from any suitable source. In one form the bark is a pine bark obtained from trees of a pine plantation, preferably from pinus radiata trees. Other types of trees from which suitable bark can 25 be obtained include Hoop Pine (Araucaria Cunninghamii), Slash Pine (pinus elliotti), or the like. Typically, the bark pieces are treated prior to use, such as for example, by being worked or similar. In one form, 30 the bark pieces are worked in a working operation prior to use. More typically, the working includes sizing, such as for example, reduction in size, comminuting or the like. Even more typically, the bark pieces are reduced to 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 2406/10 - 15 particles having a predetermined size, a range of sizes, a distribution of sizes, or a range or ranges of different sizes. Typically, there are separate batches of raw bark in which each batch has a different size range or particle 5 size distribution. Typical particle size ranges of the individual batches are (i) up to 5mm, (ii) from 5 to 10mm, and (iii) above 10mm. However, other particle size ranges are possible and the number of batches having different sizes are variable, such as four or more batches of 10 graduated sizes. Within the one particle size range or batch, such as for example, in the 5 to 10mm size range or batch, there is a distribution of sizes, typically a normal distribution 15 range extending from 5mm to 10mm with a full range of sizes in between there two limits. Similarly, there is a normal distribution of sizes within other particle size ranges or batches so that in some embodiments, each particle size range has a normal distribution within the 20 overall size distribution which in turn can have a normal distribution overall, which adds to the uniformity of the particle sizes of the particles within the bark pieces being used, thereby producing a more uniform mixture and product containing the mixture. This distribution of 25 sizes is also applicable to other components included in the compost formulations, such as the coir, grape marc, humate and the like. In one form of the soil enhancing material, the size of the grape marc material is compatible with the size of the vegetation material by 30 both materials having about the same size distribution or corresponding size distributions so that a substantially uniform size mixture of particles or pieces of the two materials can be formed to facilitate mixing and uniform 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 16 distribution of the two components or materials. In other forms, the particle size range is from either up to about 3mm or up to about 5mm, whilst in other forms, 5 the particle size is up to about 7mm and from 7mm to 12mm or even higher. It is to be noted that any suitable size range or any number of different batches of different size ranges can be used in the present invention. 10 (ii) COIR Typically, another of the materials derived from vegetation used in some embodiments of the compost formulations of the present invention is derived from a is tree, bush or shrub, more typically from a coconut tree. Preferably, the second material is peat pith, coir, cocopeat, coir pith, coir fibre pith, coir dust or like material obtained from coconuts, particularly coconut husks, mesocarp and similar. In one form, the coir is 20 sized in the range of up to about 50mm. In other forms, the coir has particle size distributions the same as or similar to the particle size distribution of the humate and/or composted bark to form a uniform mixture of sizes. 25 In one form, the coir is in the form of chips, ranging in size of up to about 50mm, typically up to about 40mm, more typically from about 4mm to about 40mm, even more typically from about 20mm to about 25mm. Alternatively or additionally, the coir can be supplied and/or used in the 30 form of pith, typically up to about 5mm and/or length, preferably about 2mm to 3mm in length. In one embodiment, the coir is sized in the range of particle sizes, having particle size distributions the same as or similar to the 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 2406/10 - 17 particle size distribution of the humate and/or composted bark. In one embodiment, the peat pith derived from coir is in the form of a mash or similar. 5 Typical properties of the peat pith, coir or the like include the following: Electrical Conductivity (EC) of from about 1 to about 600 S/m or below about 1.0 ms/cm; 10 pH of from about 5 to about 8, preferably from about 5.8 to about 6.5; HUMATE 15 One optional component of the soil enhancing materials of the present invention, particularly of the organic compost, is one or more humates of one type or the other or a combination of two or more types. Typically, the 20 humate or humates can be added in an amount of up to about 50% w/w, more typically, up to about 35% w/w, and preferably from about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w. Humate is a general term used to describe a range of 25 materials which are essentially carbon based and are used to increase the amount of organic matter in soils and plant growing materials. Humates are derived from humus. Humus is a transformational product of the animal and vegetable organisms' remains which are more resistant to 30 decay than the initial biomass containing the remains. Humus is a partial decomposition material which occurs in nature. Humus is a general term relating to decomposition products found in nature. Humus is a mixture of complex 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 18 materials and compounds including the humic acids. The humic acids have a very complex structure. Humic substances derived from brown coal (lignite) are a 5 rich source of acidic carboxylic and phenolic groups which can provide reactive sites for cation exchange, bind and sequester phytotoxic elements thus reducing the amount of toxic materials remaining free in the soil, provide increased pH buffering of soils, and promote the 10 penetration or retention of calcium in the soil as well as improving nutrient transport to plants. Humic substances, generally referred to as humates, include humic acids and their salts. One source of humic is acids and their salts is brown coal. The humic substances include humic acid, fulvic acid, humic and similar materials. The incorporation of humic fractions into compost or other soil substitutes improves the amount of organic matter in the soil which in turn is responsible 20 for the generic improvement of soil fertility and improved productivity. Overall, the incorporation of humates in the soil is beneficial to the soil. The soil enhancing materials of the present invention 25 contain a single humate or a combination of two or more humates including different types, sources, formulations, compositions, and the like of the humates. Typically the humate is a low salt humate which contains 30 little or minimal salt. Typically, the amount of humate material included in some embodiments of the plant growing material is up to about 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 19 50% by volume, more typically, from about 5% up to about 40% by volume, even more typically from about 5 to about 35%, and even more typically from about 10% to about 30% by volume based on the total volume of the plant growing 5 material. Preferred amounts of humate are in the range of from about 15% to about 30% by volume. In one form, the humate includes brown coal, lignite, peat, leonardites or similar materials containing decayed 10 matter or mixtures of two or more such materials or the like. One of the better sources of humates and other humic substances is leonardites, which is a highly oxidized low grade lignite that contains a relatively high concentration of the small molecular units found in 15 humates, such as the fulvic acids. Another form of humate are the so called 'regenerated humic acids' or 'ulmins' which have characteristics that are similar to humic acids derived from low grade lignites. 20 In one form the humate, particularly in the form of brown coal is used as quarried or supplied from the supplier. However, it is preferable that the brown coal or lignite undergo some form of pre treatment step before it is used, such as for example a treatment or washing step. 25 In one form, the quarried organic humate is supplied as large pieces, sometimes in the form of clumps or aggregates. In some embodiments, the humate is used as supplied whereas in other embodiments, the humate is 30 worked and/or treated prior to use. In one embodiment, treating or working the humate includes milling, screening, comminuting, or similar including combinations of different or similar operations to reduce the size of 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24106/10 - 20 the pieces to particles, typically particulates of a more uniform size distribution and/or homogenous mix having a granular texture, and to screen the particles into different sized batches. Typically, the humate is worked 5 and/or treated to form a size that can be homogenously worked through or with the other components being added to, or to form the plant growing material so as to enable a more or less uniform mixture of components of compatible or similar sizes to be produced as the plant growing 10 material itself or for adding to the existing soil or to be formulated into a potting mix or similar. In one form, the humate pieces or particles are reduced in size to a particle size profile which facilitates the 15 reduction and/or prevention of leaching of the particles, such as for example, to prevent or reduce excess water runoff from the humate particles and/or plant growing material particles that carries particulates, particularly fine particulates away from the humate and/or mixture. 20 Properties and characteristics of the humate include the following: Properties of Humate 25 FEATURES PROPERTIES High Water Holding Greater than 200% of its Capacity dry weight High Cation Exchange 200 - 250 meq /100g Capacity 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 21 Good Chemical Maintains pH range between Buffer 5 to 7 High Porosity Up to 30% by volume (Air filled porosity) High Organic Carbon Up to 68% organic carbon Content High Natural Humic and 20% humic acid, slow Fulvic Acids Content release form In one form, the humate pieces or particles are screened using a suitable screening device such as for example a 5 separator, a sieve, trommel or similar to produce batches of particles having different defined size ranges or sizes. In one form the screening device is a separation device in the form of a trommel having a variety of different sized screens, including individual screens 10 having a range of apertures, such as for example, one screen has individual sizes from 0 to 6mm, another screen has individual sizes from 6 to 10mm, and a still further screen has individual sizes greater than 10mm. It is preferred that the humate used in accordance with the 15 present invention have particle sizes less than 10mm which is to say that the particles not be retained on the 10+mm screen. However, it is to be noted that other sizes of particles and other distributions of size ranges are possible, such as sizes ranging up to 12mm or 15mm 20 depending upon the requirements of the particular use to which the plant growing material is to be used. Typically, the screened and sized humate particles are optionally readmitted to the screening device to be 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 22 remilled and/or recomminuted so as to provide a more uniform particle size distribution. Additionally, particles too large to fall through the screen size of 10mm are readmitted for resizing to a desired lower 5 particle size range. Typically, the treatment or working operations of the humate produce a combination of particle sizes which results in the humate being of a granular texture, and 10 being Bufficiently small to be able to be worked through the soil when applied directly to the soil to improve the organic content of the soil or when being mixed with composted bark or being added to form a compost mix or fully formulated soil enhancing material, but not so fine 15 a particle size to produce a dust which is easily removed from the soil or plant growing material by being wind blown, or carried away in the water run off to be leached away. 20 Typically, the treatment or pre treatment of the humate material optionally includes moisture control in which the amount of moisture within the humate is controlled to allow ease of subsequent processing and/or mixture with other components and/or incorporation into the plant 25 growing material. Typically, the moisture content of the humate is maintained in the range of from about 30% to about 70%, preferably in the range of from about 40% to 65% water content. If required, water preferably in the form of a mist of fine droplets sprayed onto the humate, 30 is added to the humate prior to or during use as necessary, desired or required, such as for example, prior to adding to the composting mixture or after addition to the mixture while the mixture is composting. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 2406/10 - 23 COMPOSTING PROCESSES In one form, composting of the various mixtures takes 5 place in heaps, piles, stacks, or similar, typically in the form of windrows. The temperature profile of the windrow at a multitude of different locations throughout the windrow is monitored. Ideally, the temperature is maintained within an optional range of from about 40*C to 10 about 70*C or higher. In one form the optimal maximum temperature is around 65 0 C. However, the temperature can vary depending upon requirements. Typically, the ageing windrow of combined viticulture 15 product and bark or other vegetation product has different zones, regions, layers or similar within the one windrow. Typically, the different zones etc. are at different temperatures due to composting of the mixture so that there are stratified layers or zones of different 20 temperatures and/or compositions. Typically, the windrow is structured with an outer layer at the perimeter of the windrow which is an insulating layer useful for retaining heat build up within the windrow to assist in maintaining ideal conditions at optimal temperatures within the 25 windrow. Composting of the grape marc and bark combined into a composting mixture from the time of delivery to the time of incorporation into the organic compost formulation 30 extends from about 30 days or thereabout to about 70 days or more, preferably from about 36 days to about 63 days depending upon requirements and the type of compost or 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24106/10 - 24 potting mix to be produced. Typically, the windrow is aerated periodically during the composting process such as for example, by turning or s similar of the windrow in order to assist efficiency of the composting processes such as for example by allowing the introduction of oxygen or to maintain oxygen concentration or content in the windrow to promote growth of microbes in the grape marc, bark and/or similar product 10 to further assist in the composting processes. In one form, the oxygen content of the composting material is preferably not lower than 5 to 10%. However, higher oxygen concentrations are suitable. 1 In one form, the grape marc and bark are mixed together at the commencement of the composting process and allowed to age or compost together as an intimate mixture simultaneously with each other in the one windrow. In this embodiment, there is a synergy or beneficial 20 relationship between the composting bark and composting marc which aids the further composting of both materials in combination with each other due to the presence of microorganisms in or on both components so that the properties or characteristics of a mixed compost are 25 improved. In one form, the moisture content of the composting windrow is controlled to optimise the biological activity of the microorganisms originally present in each of the 30 materials. In one form, the moisture content of the compost containing the viticulture product can vary from about 40% to 70%, preferably about 45% to 65%, and more preferably about 55% to provide optimum conditions for 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24106/10 - 25 composting. ADDITIVES 5 Typically, different formulations of the soil enhancing materials of the present invention include one or more of different types of additives or auxiliaries which are included in the various formulations to further improve the growth and/or development of plants grown in such 10 materials depending upon the type of plant being grown in the material. Typical examples of additives include wetting agents, grits, sand, pH adjustment agents, microorganisms, yeast, organic fertilizers, such as for example blood and bone fertiliser, or the like. 15 Additionally, additives to assist composting of the grape marc are introduced into the windrows to assist in composting. Nutrients for assisting growth and multiplication of microorganisms are added to the 20 composting windrow. One example of an additive is organic fertiliser, such as for example, blood and bone added as a nutrient for microbes. Another additive is added to adjust the pH of the 25 composting windrow, such as calcium carbonate to maintain the windrow at a pH of from about 5 to 8, typically from about 5 to 6. WETTING AGENTS 30 One particularly preferred wetting agent used in many of the formulations is SATURAID* made by Debco. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 26 One example of a wetting agent will now be described. Expanded coir and zeolite granules are added to and mixed in a 2 M3 blender with surfactant being added during the mixing process. Typical formulations for the wetting s agent include the following: Organic Wetting Agent Formulations Formulation 1 Formulation 2 Formulation 3 (w/w%) (w/w%) (w/w%) Expanded Coir 5% - 75% 10% - 50% 30% Zeolite 15% - 85% 20% - 70% 55% Granules Surfactant 5% - 30% 10% - 20% 15% 10 MICROORGANISMS The composting process relies on the presence of microorganisms in the mixture being composted. Suitable microorganisms that facilitate composting of the grape is marc and bark mixture include the following: BACTERIA One type of suitable composting microorganism includes 20 bacteria. Bacteria are the smallest living organisms and the most numerous in compost; they make up 80 to 90% of the billions of microorganisms typically found in compost. 25 Bacteria are responsible for most of the decomposition and heat generation in compost. They are the most 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 27 nutritionally diverse group of compost organisms, using a broad range of enzymes to chemically break down a variety of organic materials. 5 The bacteria that occur in soil are cocci (0.5 mm), bacilli (0.5-3.0 mm) and spiral forms. The bacilli are in highest number and they swim actively in soil solutions. Some common soil bacterial are the species of: 10 " Achromobacter " Arthrobacter " Bacillus (Bacillus subtilis) " Chromobacterium is " Clostridium (Clostridium tetani) " Flavobacterium - Micrococcus " Mycobacterium a Pseudomonas (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) 20 Cellulose-rich environments contain several different types of cellulolytic bacteria which include the following species of: 25 " Cytophaga " Sporocytophaga Chemosynthetic autotrophic bacteria present in the soil include the species of 30 " Thiobacillus " Ferrobacillus 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 241)6/10 - 28 " Nitrosomonas " Nitrobacter ACTINOMYCETES 5 Another type of suitable microorganism present in composting mixtures includes aclinomycetes. The characteristic earthy smell of soil is caused by 10 actinomycetes, organisms that resemble fungi but actually are filamentous bacteria. Like other bacteria, they lack nuclei, but they grow multicellular filaments like fungi. In composting they play an important role in degrading complex organics such as cellulose, lignin, chitin, and 15 proteins. Their enzymes enable them to chemically break down tough debris such as woody stems, bark, or newspaper. In the order of abundance in soils, the commonest genera of actinomycetes are: 20 " Streptomyces (nearly 70%), " Nocardia " Micromonospora " although Actinomyces, Actinoplanes and 25 Streptosporangium have also been encountered occasionally. FUNGI 30 Another suitable type of microorganism includes fungi. Fungi include moulds and yeasts, and collectively they are responsible for the decomposition of many complex plant 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 29 polymers in soil and compost. In compost, fungi are important because they break down tough debris, enabling bacteria to continue the decomposition process once most of the cellulose has been exhausted. They spread and grow s vigorously by producing many cells and filaments, and they can attack organic residues that are too dry, acidic, or low in nitrogen for bacterial decomposition. Some important soil inhabiting microfungi are the species 10 of " Absidia a Alternaria (Altenaria altenaria) - Aspergillus 15 " Botrytis " Cephalosporium W Chaetomium " Cunninghamella " Fusarium 20 " Monilia " Mortierella M Mucor " Penicillium M Phoma 25 " Pythium * Rhizoctonica 0 Rhizopus a Stemphylium " Trichoderma 30 M Verticillium - Some microfungi, such as species of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Dematium, are helpful 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 30 in the preservation of organic materials in the soil. ALGAE 5 Another suitable type of microorganism include algae. Many microalgal forms occur on the surface of moist soils, where sufficient light is available. The growth of microalgae is helpful for soil conservation and in 10 improving soil structure. Suitable species include: " Anabaena " Aphanocapsa 15 " Chlorella " Chlorococcum " Chroococcus " Nostoc " Protosiphon 20 " Scytonema are some common microalgae present in the soil. PROTOZOA 25 Another suitable type of microorganisms includes protozoa. Protozoa are one-celled microscopic animals. They are found in water droplets in compost but play a relatively minor role in decomposition. Protozoa obtain their food 30 from organic matter in the same way as bacteria do but also act as secondary consumers ingesting bacteria and fungi. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 31 Several types of protozoa are found in the soil, but flagellates and amoebae usually out-number the ciliates. Protozoans are helpful in maintaining equilibrium of the 5 microbial flora in the soil. Some important protozoans present in the soil are species of " Allantion " Balantiophorus 10 - Biomyxa " Colpoda " Gastrostyla " Nuclearia 8 Oxytricha 15 " Pleurotricha a Trinema 8 Vorticella ROTIFERS 20 Rotifers are microscopic multicellular organisms also found in films of water in the compost. They feed on organic matter and also ingest bacteria and fungi. 25 Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that the selection, mixing and matching of the different types of microorganisms from grape marc and from the bark cooperate with each other, including types of organisms optionally added to the composting mixture, including 30 selections from the above list of microorganisms, typically cooperate synergistically, to improve the properties and qualities of the compost produced by the 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06110 - 32 composting processes. Thus, using both grape marc and bark, optionally in the presence of coir, humates, additives, or the like in the one mixture for producing compost or potting mixes results in the beneficial 5 advantage possessed by such mixtures due to the interaction of the constituents of both and/or all components, including the microorganisms of both the marc and bark and optionally of the other materials. 10 It is to be noted that any suitable microorganism can be present or added to the composting mixture. One example of a microorganism is yeast. In some embodiments of the compost and composting 15 processes, yeast is present in one or more of the components used to form the composting mixture, such as in the bark and/or grape marc either before, during, or after composting to further assist in composting the mixture to form the soil enhancement material. 20 FERTILIZER In some embodiments, fertilizer is added to the individual composting materials, the composting mixture or to the 25 soil enhancement materials. One example of the fertilizer is a plant or animal derived fertiliser, such as for example, blood and bone. Again, without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that blood and bone is added to assist in the commencement of degradation by 30 providing an initial boost to the composting process. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 33 COMPOST FORMULATIONS Typical organic compost formulations include the following: 5 Formulation Formulation Formulation 4 (v/v%) 5 (v/v%) 6 (v/v%) Raw Bark (Medium - 40% - 90% 60 - 80% 70% 0 to 6 mm) Grape Marc 10% - 50% 10 - 30% 15% Lime 0% - 0.5% 0.1 - 0.4% 0.2% Meat and Bone Meal 0% - 1% 0.1 - 0.5% 0.3% Humate 0% - 50% 5 - 35%% 15% Typical formulations of Organic Potting Mixes made from the compost formulations include the following: Formulation Formulation Formulation 7 (v/v%) 8 (v/v%) 9 (v/v%) Organic Compost 96% -100% 96 - 99% 99% Meat and Bone Meal 0% - 4% 0.1 - 3% 1% Zeolite Dust 0% - 0.2% 0.0 - 1% 0.05% Wetting agent 0% - 1% 0.0% - 0.5% 0% - 0.2% 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments illustrating aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following examples which are to be regarded as illustrative of the 15 invention only and not restrictive of the scope of the invention. 23209611 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 34 EXAMPLE 1 One example of a suitable formulation of one form of the soil enhancing material in the form of an organic compost 5 will now be described. Grape marc and raw bark (mediums), are combined together in a ratio of 1 : 4.7 with the addition of lime for neutralizing the natural acidity of the bark at a 10 treatment rate of 3 Xg M 3 and blood and bone meal (a fertilizer) at a treatment rate of 2 Kg M 3 . Either at the time of initial mixing of the above individual components or during the composting process itself, organic humate that had been previously prepared having a suitable size is distribution is added to the composting material in the same amount as the Grape Marc. The organic humate assists in retaining/storing "usable" nitrogen within the mix, for use by plants at a later date. The mixture formed so far is blended together in a mixer with water being added and 20 then laid out in rows. The nutrients in the meat and bone meal and grape marc encourages microbial activity drawing nitrogen from the meat and bone meal and grape marc and carbon from the bark facilitating the composting. The mixture is aerated regularly and composted for a minimum 25 of 28 days to break down the components of the mixture, particularly the bark. Typical formulations of the compost made in accordance with the procedure described above include the following: 30 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 35 Organic Compost Formulations Formulation Formulation Formulation 10 11 12 (v/v%) (v/v%) (v/v%) Raw Bark (Medium 40% - 90% 60 - 80% 70% - 0 to 6 mm) Grape Marc 10% - 50% 10 - 30% 15% Lime 0% - 0.5% 0.1 - 0.4% 0.2% Meat and Bone 0% - 1% 0.1 - 0.5% 0.3% Meal Humate 0% - 50% 5 - 35% 15% EXAMPLE 2 5 Another example illustrating the manufacture of one formulation of the compost of the present invention will now be described. Organic humate in the form of low salt content brown coal 10 (lignite) is obtained from a suitable source, such as for example, quarried from a suitable site and transported in coarse lumps to the composting facility. The humate as supplied is subjected to a first treatment or working step in which the size of large lumps of the lignite are is reduced in size by rolling the lumps to reduce their size to a more manageable size. The reduced size pieces are then further treated or worked to further reduce their size by passage through a separator. One form of the separator is a trommel having a multitude of different 20 sized screens or sieves to resize the pieces into particles. The screens are arranged in sizes to form separate lots or batches of similarly sized particles. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 36 The first screen or sieve forms a first batch or lot of particles from about 0 to about 6mm, a second screen forms a second batch having a particle size of from about 6 to about 10mm and a further screen forms a still further 5 batch or lot having a particle size greater than about 10mm. The further lot of oversize particles having a particle size of greater than 10mm is optionally reworked by further passage through the trommel to further reduce the size to less than 10mm which is a more useful size for 10 mixing with the other components of the composting mixture, namely the grape marc and bark. The screening process results in the organic humate having a range of particle sizes within each broad particle size range, such as for example, each of the particle size range from the 15 individual screens has a normal distribution of sizes having a more or less bell shaped curve, and the combinations of the different particle sizes results in the mixture having a granular texture in which the particles are sufficiently fine to be worked into and 20 through the soil when the compost is added to the soil, or into and through the remaining components of the compost mixture, but not so fine that the smaller particles form a dust which has a tendency to be blown away in the wind or be leached from the soil by being washed away by water run 25 off from the soil or plant growing material, i.e. potting mix, during periods of light rainfall or excess watering. After sizing, the organic humate is ready for incorporation into various formulations depending upon the use to which the formulation is to be put. 30 In one formulation peat pith, or coconut pith or coconut mash obtained from coconuts, being one example of the vegetation material or material derived from vegetation is 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06110 - 37 used in the formulation. This material is often referred to as coir but has other descriptions. In these embodiments, the pith or similar having a s moderately high water content, is formed into a mash or similar when treated or worked to reduce the particle size of the pith pieces. Optionally, the mash of pith is heated so as to expand the individual pieces to a more useable size. 10 In formulations containing bark incorporated as one example of vegetation derived material, the bark is obtained from a suitable source and delivered to the composting site. The bark is comminuted from relatively is large sized pieces or clumps to usable sized particles having a desirable size distribution in a similar manner to that employed for the organic humate and coir. After resizing the bark particles are added to the grape marc to commence the composting process jointly with the grape 20 marc. Grape marc as supplied is added to the bark, optionally containing one or more of humate, coir or the like. The bark and grape marc are composted together. Other 25 additives are optionally added to the bark/grape marc mixture. Such additives include (i) wetting agents, such as SATURAID*, (ii) filler materials, and (iii) drainage materials and the like. Other suitable additives may be added for other purposes. 30 ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION Growing trials using the compost compositions produced by 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/0610 - 38 the composting processes as potting mixes have demonstrated that the inclusion of organic compost, particularly in amounts of greater than about 50% by volume of the total volume of the potting mix, soil or 5 similar plant growing material, results in improved plant growth and development of plants, both in respect of the reduced time taken to be productive and the increased yield of the plant, i.e. plants reach maturity more quickly as well as being of better quality at maturity. 10 The compost compositions made in accordance with the present invention, and formulations containing such compost compositions, such as potting mixes and other plant growing media having the compost compositions added is thereto, are essentially organic in nature and accordingly are more in balance with the immediate environment including the soils, so as not to deplete the soils of essential components unnecessarily. The organic compost compositions and formulations containing such compositions 20 of the present invention provide results which are at least as good as, and can certainly be favourably compared with, the results obtained using materials for aiding the growth and development of plants which are artificially derived or include artificially or synthetically 25 manufactured components, such as for example compost mixtures to which synthetic fertilisers or fertilisers derived from chemical processes or the like have been added. 30 When compared to other so called organic formulations or substances that are promoted as being beneficial to the growth and development of plants, the results obtained from using the organic compost compositions and 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06110 - 39 formulations containing such compositions in accordance with the present invention are superior to the results obtained from using the other so called organic substances when the improvement in plant growth and development is 5 considered. Therefore, the organic compost of the present invention provides at least as good results for improving the growth of plants as do artificially derived substances such as materials to which synthetic fertilisers or fertilisers derived from chemical processes or the like io have been added, but have the added bonus of being derived from naturally occurring materials and are regarded as being organic in nature. Additionally, the organic compost of the present invention provides superior results, when compared to the results obtained from using 15 other so called organic compositions. The use of the organic compost and formulations and mixtures containing the organic compost, such as for example potting mixes, provides a reduction in the impact 20 on the environment as compared to the effect of using synthetic chemicals in the soil, by improving the balance of the soils or potting mixes so that reliance on chemical fertilisers, chemical pesticides and other synthetic chemicals is reduced whilst still producing healthy, 25 productive plants. The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every 30 novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 40 invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit s and scope. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10

Claims

1. A soil enhancing material for promoting the growth and/or development of a plant growing in a growing medium 5 containing the soil enhancing material, said soil enhancing material comprising at least one viticulture material or a material derived from a viticulture material and at least one component derived from vegetation wherein the viticulture material and the at least one component 10 derived from vegetation are, or are derived from, naturally occurring materials.

2. A soil enhancing material for promoting the growth and/or development of a plant when grown in a growing 15 medium containing the soil enhancing material, said soil enhancing material comprising at least one viticulture material or a material derived from a viticulture material, and at least two different components, both derived from vegetation, in which the at least one 20 viticulture material and the at least two components derived from vegetation are, or are derived from, naturally occurring materials.

3. A soil enhancing material to provide enhanced growth 25 and/or development of the plant when grown in a growing medium containing the soil enhancing medium comprising the steps of forming the soil enhancing medium, adding the soil enhancing material to a plant growing medium, planting the plant in the plant growing medium, and 30 allowing the plant to grow and/or develop in the plant growing medium wherein the soil enhancing material comprises at least one viticulture product or a material derived from a viticulture product, and at least one 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 42 component derived from vegetation wherein the at least one viticulture material and the at least one component derived from vegetation are, or are derived from, naturally occurring materials. 5

4. A plant grown or growing in a plant growing medium for enhancing the growth and/or development of the plant, said plant growing medium comprising at least one soil enhancing material wherein the soil enhancing material 10 comprises at least one viticulture material or a material derived from a viticulture material and at least one component derived from vegetation in which the at least one viticulture material, and the at least one component derived from vegetation are or are derived from naturally is occurring materials.

5. A soil enhancement material for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant when growing in the soil enhancement material wherein the soil enhancement material 20 comprises from about 40% to about 95% by volume of bark in the form of pieces or particles from about 5% to 40% by volume of a viticulture product or a product derived from a viticulture material and from 5% to about 40% by volume of an organic humate. 25

6. A soil enhancement material for promoting or enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant when grown in the soil enhancement material comprising at least a bark component or a component derived from a bark 30 material, a coir component or a component derived from coir, a viticulture component or a component derived from a viticulture material and organic humate wherein the viticulture product is obtained as a waste product from 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 43 viticulture and the organic humate is derived from a naturally occurring material.

7. A method of forming a soil enhancing material to 5 provide improved growth of a plant when grown in the soil enhancing material comprising the steps of selecting at least one viticulture product or a material derived from a viticulture product, sizing the viticulture product to a predetermined size, or range of sizes, selecting at least 10 one component derived from vegetation, sizing the vegetation product to a prearranged size or range of sizes, mixing the viticulture product and vegetation product together to form a mixture of the viticulture product and vegetation product wherein the size of the 15 viticulture product is compatible with the size of the vegetation product so that the mixture forms the soil enhancing material.

8. A soil enhancement material or method according to 20 any preceding claim in which the soil enhancement material is a compost or one component of a potting mix or potting mix formulation or potting combination.

9. A soil enhancement material or method according to 25 any preceding claim in which the compost component is up to about 95% by volume of the potting mix or potting mix formulation or composition.

10. A soil enhancement material or method according to 30 any preceding claim in which the material derived from vegetation includes bark, including both composted bark and/or aged bark, grape marc, including pre treated grape marc, a material derived from coconut including coir such 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24106/10 - 44 as coir pith, coir peat, coir chips, coir mash, humate materials or the like.

11. A soil enhancement material or method according to 5 any preceding claim in which the amount of compost in the potting mix or potting formulation is from about 50% by volume up to about 99% by volume of the volume of the mix or formulation. 10

12. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the lower amount of compost is the range from about 65%, more typically from about 70%, up to about 95%, typically up to about 90%, based on the total volume of the mixture. 15

13. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the viticulture product is grape marc, grape must, pomace, grape pomace, winery pomace, and the like, optionally containing seeds or being 20 seedless.

14. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the viticulture product has a moisture content from about 10% to 70% moisture, typically 25 an amount in the range from about 45% to about 65%, and more typically about 55% by weight of moisture.

15. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the viticulture product is 30 pre treated before use such as for example, being treated, sized, washed, conditioned, improved, refined, filtered or the like. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06110 - 45

16. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the viticulture product is grape marc having a seed content of greater than about 10% by weight, typically a seed content of greater than about 5 30% by weight, preferably a seed content in an amount greater than about 35% by weight, more preferably greater than about 40% by weight, and most preferably greater than about 50% by weight. 10

17. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the grape marc compost or grape marc contains free potassium, typically in the range from about 2 to 3% by weight. 15

18. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the grape marc further includes low levels of calcium, sulphur and magnesium in amounts of less than 1% by weight, phosphorous in an amount of from about 0.1 to 0.3% by weight, and nitrogen 20 in about 1 to 2% by weight.

19. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which one of the material derived from vegetation is bark including raw bark, fresh bark, 25 aged bark, composted bark, treated bark or the like, including small amounts of composted or partially combusted bark.

20. A soil enhancement material or method according to 30 any preceding claim in which the bark is a pine bark obtained from pinus radiate trees or is obtained from Hoop Pine (Araucaria Cuninghamii) or Slash Pine (pinus elliotti). 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 46

21. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the bark is sized prior to incorporation into the composting mixture in which the s size of the bark is up to 5mm, from about 5 to 10mm and above 10mm.

22. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the particle size of the bark io and the particle size of the grape marc are compatible or comparable so as to form a mixture of the bark and grape marc having uniform distribution.

23. A soil enhancement material or method according to 15 any preceding claim in which the coir is in the form of chips, ranging in size of up to about 50mm, typically up to about 40mm, more typically from about 4mm to about 40mm, even more typically from about 20mm to about 25mm. 20

24. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the composting mixture further includes a humate or a mixture of two or more different humate materials.

25 25. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the amount of humate is from up to about 50% by weight, more typically up to about 35% by weight and preferably up to from about 5% by weight to about 30% by weight. 30

26. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the humate is or is derived from brown coal (lignite). 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24106/10 - 47

27. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the composting mixture or potting mix made from the composting mixture includes two 5 or more humate materials from different sources, or the like.

28. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the amount of humate material 10 is up to about 50% by volume, more typically from about 5% up to about 40% by volume, even more typically from about 5 to 35% by volume and even more typically from about 10% to about 30% by volume based on the total volume of the plant growing material. 15

29. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the humate is subjected to a pre treatment step before being incorporated into the composting mixture or potting mix or similar wherein the 20 pre treatment step includes a washing step.

30. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which treatment of the humate includes sizing of the humate into batches having 25 different size ranges in which the size ranges are the same as or comparable to or compatible with the size ranges of the bark component, the grape marc component or other materials added to the composting mixture to facilitate composting of the mixture by promoting a 30 beneficial effect between the components of the mixture.

31. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the humate is present in 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 48 batches of different sizes in which a first batch has a size of up to 6mm, a second batch has a size from about 6 to about 10mm and a third batch has a size of greater than about 10mm. 5

32. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the potting mix formed from the composting mixture has a granular size or texture. 10

33. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the humate material or composting material includes a moisture control material for maintaining the moisture content of the mixture. is

34. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the moisture content of the humate and/or of the composting mixture is maintained in the range of from about 30 to about 70%, preferably in the range from about 40 to 65%. 20

35. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the composting of the mixture occurs in a windrow. 25

36. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the temperature within the windrow is maintained is the range from about 40 0 C to about 70 0 C, typically at around 65 0 C. 30

37. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the windrow is provided with different zones, regions, layers, segments or similar 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24106/10 - 49 located within a single windrow.

38. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which there is an outer zone and an 5 inner zone such that the windrow is structured so that the outer zone at the perimeter forms an insulating layer useful for retaining heat build up within the inner layer of the windrow. 10

39. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which composting of the grape marc and bark takes place over a period of time extending from about 30 days to about 70 days, preferably from about 36 days to about 63 days. 15

40. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the oxygen content of the composting material is not lower than 5 to 10%. 20

41. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which there is a synergy or beneficial relationship between the composting bark and composting grape marc which facilitates additional composting of both the bark and the grape marc to form a 25 compost.

42. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the bark is provided with a first set of microorganisms and the grape marc is provided 30 with a second set of microorganisms in which the first and second sets of microorganisms interact with each other, preferably synergistically interact together to produce beneficial compost. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24/06/10 - 50

43. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the moisture content of the compost varies from about 40% to 70%, preferably from s about 45% to 65%, more preferably from about 55%.

44. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim further comprising one or more additives in which the additive is selected from wetting 10 agents, grits, sand, pH adjustment agents, microorganisms, yeast, organic fertilisers, or similar.

45. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the pH of the composting 15 mixture is adjusted to be from about 5 to 8, typically from about 5 to 6.

46. A soil enhancement material or method according to any preceding claim in which the microorganism is selected 20 from one or more of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, protazoa, rotifers, or the like.

47. A soil enhancing material for promoting the growth and/or development of a plant substantially as 25 hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings/examples.

48. A method of forming a soil enhancing material in accordance with the present invention substantially as 30 hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings/examples. 2320961_1 (GHMatters) 24106110