WO2003074446A1 - Silica based fertiliser - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fertiliser composition, which includes a silica source and at least one, but including any combination of, a calcium source, a paramagnetic source, and an iron source. In preferred embodiments, the silica source is sea mud of a fine powder form, the calcium source is lime, the paramagnetic source is rock dust and the iron source is iron sand. The fertiliser composition has a synergistic effect which facilitates the formation of electric flux lines, and therefore the production of an energy field in the soil. Once the components for the energy field and the electrical flow are established, the ionised elements from the sea based compounds are able to move in the electrical current and, through electrolysis, attract the 'bound up' elements from the soil, thus placing nutrition from the soil into plant available form.

Description

Silica based fertiliser

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an improved fertiliser.

In particular it relates to the formulation of a fertiliser from a number of components.

BACKGROUND ART

Fertilisers are spread on land in order to provide plants, and indirectly animals that graze those plants, with essential nutrients/elements for growth and development and to replenish the soil after both grazing and cropping.

Soil replenishment has been undertaken through a number of different practices throughout history. In the middle ages, crop rotation practices were utilised in order to save paddocks from nutrient exhaustion. Fallow paddocks had weeds ploughed back into them in order to enrich the soil.

Early settlers used fire to add both carbon and other essential elements back to the soil through the burning of bush and undergrowth.

As far back as recorded history goes, Egyptians were making use of the natural replenishing of the soils by the yearly Nile inundation. The nutrient rich lode carried by the Nile from upstream was deposited onto the floodplains as the river widened its course and slowed.

The major elements required in the soil to enable healthy growth of plants, and the life forms that are sustained by them are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and sulphur. The minor or trace elements that are required for healthy growth are magnesium, iron, manganese, cobalt, copper, boron, selenium, zinc, sodium and molybdenum. Being trace elements, these are often required in minute amounts. However, their absence can prove devastating to plant health and that of animals grazing thereon.

Without the input of essential nutrients, which are not supplied naturally from the soil, all agricultural systems would, by definition, be non-sustainable. This is because agriculture is a net exporter of nutrients through product leaving the farm, uneven return of nutrients to non-productive areas, and inevitable nutrient losses in soil. Therefore, the addition of fertilisers in amounts and in a form to best match plant requirements is essential to maximise plant productivity, and indirectly animal health.

In recent times, higher population densities have lead to intensive cropping and heavier pasture grazing. Inorganic fertilisers have been added to the soil in increasing amounts in order to replace the nutrients taken out. Fertilisers have been added to the soil via ground spreading and topdressing, using aeroplanes and helicopters.

In order to get the greater returns from the land even more fertiliser has been added, to the detriment of the rivers and lakes surrounding these areas. Such large amounts of fertiliser, coupled with increased effluent from intensive herd grazing mean that run off from these areas carries with it a large amount of excess nutrients that cause eutrophication of rivers and lakes, choking waterways with increased plant growth. This growth in turn starves fish of oxygen and can destroy the delicate ecological balance of a region.

As people become more aware of the drawbacks of increased fertiliser use, rotation cropping has been re-established. Certain regions in Europe have made rotation- cropping law and have limited the amount of fertilisers that can be added to the land. Strict regulations mean that only certain types of fertiliser can be added back to the soil and organic farming is becoming more prevalent. New Zealand continues to add large amounts of fertiliser to the land to compensate for intensive farming and cropping practices. While some areas require the addition of certain nutrients due to soil deficiencies, it would be an advantage to be able to reduce the amount of fertiliser added, while still bringing about the same effect of replenished soils and increased plant growth and the production of wholesome quality food in all growing conditions.

For New Zealand to be able to continue to market its products in regions such as the European Union, it must meet the farming practice guidelines set by the European Union, and imposed on its member states. New Zealand is not the only country in this position.

In recent years the soil and plant health has been categorised as its component parts, focussing on N-P-K ratios and the interaction of selected esser' elements and 'trace' elements taken into account. The fatal flaw with this approach is that nature did not make nor use these elements in their component parts but as an interrelated complex where the 'trace' and the unseen have as much value as that which can be seen and measured. The soil is not merely a medium for the delivery of fertiliser to plants but a vibrant living, complex ecosystem in its own right.

The understanding that there is more to growing healthy crops than simply replacing lost nutrition with inorganic fertilisers has been known and indeed researched in recent times by trained scientists. Dr William Albrecht [The Albrecht Papers Vol 1 - 1975 - Edited by Charles Walters] in the early part of last century showed that the quality of plant nutrition depended on the fertility of the soil and that human nutrition and health was a direct result of the quality of the food humans eat.

The soil and its fertility therefore are the basic starting points of a healthy human being. A small difference in soil fertility can lead to animal health problems in farming stock - if the soil is healthy then so too are the plants that grow on it and the animals that eat those plants. Questions must therefore be raised as to why so much money is spent on animal health remedies, routine drenches for parasites and why food plants have such high nitrate content instead of proteins. The answer appears to be that the soil is not healthy.

For a soil to be healthy, it needs certain components to deliver wholesome, healthy food. Clues to the right components to provide this outcome can be found in nature. Nature provides soil structure for roots to anchor in and sites for water and air to permeate into. Nature provides nutrition for the plants through decaying soil organisms and plant matter, mineralisation from weathered rocks and soil life to deliver the nutrition to plant roots. Nature also provides an electrical framework for these processes.

According to Nile Brady in 'The Nature and Properties of Soil' [1984, 9^th Edition, MacMillan Publishing, New York] there is a huge reservoir of minerals available in soils. For example in the top 150mm of one hectare of soil there is approximately 2.5 tons of nitrogen, 2.4 tons of phosphorus, 44 tons of potassium, 21 tons of calcium, 15 tons of magnesium, 3 tons of sulphur, 50 tons of iron, 5 tons of manganese, 200kg of zinc, 100kg of copper, 100kg of boron, 4kg of molybdenum and 400 of tons of silica. Given this huge reservoir, it appears more recent farming practices have altered nature's way of operating and the minerals have been bound up in a plant-inaccessible form.

Dr Maynard Murray found that on land, elements are found in a colloidal state defined as 'a gelatinous substance which when dissolved in liquid will not diffuse readily through animal or vegetable membranes' (Acres USA - January 2003 'Trace elements in Nature's Balance'), thus 'when an element is leached from the land, the resulting imbalance causes a blocking of the other elements present so they cannot be taken up by the plants, or substitution of some other element (for the one leached) takes place' . This creates the cycle previously mentioned where a small difference in the balance of soil fertility shows up as ill health in the plant and/or animal. Traditionally the elements removed from the soil were replaced via manure, decayed vegetation and dead animals in the same proportion in which they were removed, however, contemporary use of inorganic fertilisers tends to lead to the unavailability of trace elements and therefore disruption of physiological processes.

Dr Murray found that in the sea there was a balance of most of the known elements in a plant and animal available form. Nearly all elements of the atomic table are in a solution of consistency, balance and proportion, available to all sea life'. He also noted that sea animals were consistently healthy. His experiments found that using sea solids with this full range of elements on soils resulted in healthier plants and animals. It therefore appears that there is a tool to help unlock the bounty of available elements in the soil by using sea-sourced products for their range of all the elements.

Recent research by Dr Elaine Ingham [President of Soil Foodweb Institute in New South Wales, Australia] has made it possible to assay the micro life in the soil. Microscopic bacteria, fungi and protozoa create the soil structure, make nutrition available to plants through symbiotic relationships in the plant root zone and ensure sick and dying plants are destroyed. These organisms, too, have been adversely affected by modern fertiliser and pesticide practice. This is shown again through unhealthy or dying plants, plants that need constant pesticide use to keep them disease free. When the soil biology is healthy, so too is the life that lives in and on the soil.

It is not yet known how to measure all that is happening the complex system of the soil but some of the results of some of those processes have been observed. When kelp meal was left in a plastic drum on the farm during a storm a series of regular flux lines developed along the bottom surface of the container. These flux lines were formed by the highly ionised kelp meal being attracted to the earth's electrical flow. They ran in parallel in an east-west direction. On further investigation it was found that the soil below the drum had a low voltage current running along these lines. Soil has an electrical current. Flux lines also tend to form in response to a magnetic field So it would be reasonable to suggest that because the soil has an electrical current and exhibits flux lines that it also has an electromagnetic field.

Dr Philip Callahan in his book 'Tuning into Nature' observed and then demonstrated that plants grew well beside certain types of volcanic rock. In questioning why, the rocks were found to be paramagnetic. Paramagnetism measures a substance's tendency to move towards a magnetic source. So there was something about the paramagnetism that encouraged plant growth. Mr Callum Coates, when reporting on Victor Schauberger's work in 'Living Energies' noted that paramagnetic rock dust enhanced plant growth and the activity of soil organisms.

A good source of paramagnetic rock is volcanic granite. One of the main components of granite is silica. In modern times silica has been virtually ignored in agriculture except those that use biodynamic methodology pioneered by Rudolph Steiner earlier last century. Silica is a main component of 'Preparation 501', thought to bring in the light energies and is known to enhance photosynthesis and strengthen the plant (Grasp the Nettle By Peter Proctor; 'practical perspective on Biodynamics using world- wide experience').

In an interesting parallel to this, silica is the main component in a solar panel. Along with phosphate and boron the silica in the panel absorbs the energy from the sun to produce electricity. Again bringing in the 'light' energies. It has been observed that in areas with patches of soil with high silica content the plant growth is stronger than adjacent areas with lower silica content. Plant growth and health improvement has also been shown through the addition of basic slag - rich in silica and magnetite.

The role of the electromagnetic field in plant growth has not been fully understood or widely researched but trials by Albert Davis and Walter Rawls in 'Magnetism and its Effects on the living system found that passing seeds through a EMF increased the subsequent growth potential by up to 40%. There appears to be something in the seed that recognises and utilises the effects of the electromagnetic field.

In summary therefore, it therefore appears that the elements of electrical and electromagnetic activity are in the soil. Paramagnetic rock is there to provide the background magnetic field; silica, the generator and magnetite or iron sand to provide the 'wires' for the current. From observations on in a commercial farming situation all three factors need to be present to 'kick start' the soil's electrical system. It is interesting to note the volumes of silica and iron present in the soil analysis provided by Neil Brady (as referenced above) there is a disproportionate amount of silica and iron in the soil compared with their known nutritional value.

It would be beneficial to determine a material that would allow nature to restore its complex balance to the soil while giving a sustainable wholesome food output. The substance would kick start the electrical potential of the soil to mobilise the elements and compounds locked therein, provide the full range of elements necessary in the appropriate balance and make them plant available. It was envisaged that the complex of biology, energy and minerals would be brought into a natural balance.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art ^•-^• / publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided fertiliser composition, said composition including a silica source.

The term 'silica source' in accordance with the present invention should be understood to mean a source of silica suitable to be applied as a spreadable fertiliser.

The silica source should be of a fine enough grade particle size to be able to be spread onto soil by any number of means, including top dressing by helicopter or aeroplane or by truck, however, these are listed by way of example only and it should be appreciated that the silica source could also be spread onto garden or pot plant soil by hand, or mechanical hand spreader. These are also listed by way of example only and should not be seen to be limiting in any way.

It should also be appreciated that the silica source could also be spread by liquid spray means, where the silica source is of a fine enough particle size to be suspended in a liquid. The silica source could also be formed into pellets for ease of application, and in order to keep dust to a minimum, however, these examples are also listed by way of example only and should not be seen to be limiting in any way.

In preferred embodiments the silica source is sea mud. The term 'sea mud' in accordance with the present invention should be understood to mean a fine particle, silica rich, sedimentary product. Sea mud is grey in appearance and goes extremely hard as it dries. Sea mud is usually found in estuaries where it has been carried downstream by rivers.

In many situations, sea mud has been pushed up out of the sea and forms sedimentary rock, also known as greywacke. Greywacke is defined as a variety of sandstone, generally characterised by hardness, dark colour and angular grains of quartz, feldspar and small rock fragments set in a matrix of clay sized particles. It is also known as lithic sandstone. It is rich in very fine grade silica.

Other sources of silica based marine sediments are also of high enough quality. Sources of marine based diatomite are equally as good as sea mud, also identified in other countries a product in Utah, USA called Azomite. These products retain the same qualities of having the range of minerals required and also silica in a form that will produce electricity. The formations of these products are all different but still retain the same qualities.

In New Zealand there are several sources of this type of rock, one well-known source is 'Papa' , a type of sedimentary rock found in regions all over New Zealand.

In another embodiment the sea mud has a silica content of greater than or equal to 40wt%.

In preferred embodiments the sea mud has a silica content of greater than 60wt%.

The term 'wt%' should be understood to mean weight percent and this term maintains its usual meaning, as known to those skilled in the art. Weight percent is a way of expressing concentration and equals the weight of the specific item divided by the weight of the entire compound multiplied by one hundred. Silica that is sourced from greywacke or sea mud is of a very fine grade, being that of a talc or fine powder. This is preferred, as it becomes easier to spread and will apply in a thin coat over an area of soil. Accordingly, it also has a far greater surface area available to react with sunlight.

It should be appreciated that the term 'fine powder' has its usual meaning to those skilled in the art, that being of a particle size less than or equal to 130 micrometers in diameter, however, this is a preferred embodiment and should not therefore be seen as a limitation.

It is a preferred feature of the silica that is sourced from sea mud, or greywacke. This source of silica has the advantage of containing approximately 70 other elements, all required for healthy plant growth. These elements are present in salt water and as such, they are imparted to the sea mud when it is laid down on the sea floor.

In preferred embodiments sea mud sourced from greywacke should be from areas with low rainfall. High rainfall has the possibility of diluting the amount of elements imparted by the sea water, and will therefore lessen the benefits imparted to the sea mud.

It should be noted that diatomaceous earth is also rich in silica, however the majority of diatomaceous earth is derived from fresh water origins and therefore lacks the essential elements imparted by the salt water. Salt-water based diatomaceous earth is known, but is relatively rare.

Natural sea mud has very high quantities of most elements needed for healthy plant growth, except calcium. Another advantage of natural sea mud is that, due to the presence of seawater, most elements contained within the sea mud are ionised, which can aid in the mechanism of growth. Sea borne calcium is held in suspension due to electrolysis and does not deposit in large quantities in silt like other elements do, hence the lack of calcium present in sea mud.

In preferred embodiments, the level of application of the silica source will be dependant on the content of the soil that is to be treated.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fertiliser composition, said composition including a silica source and a calcium source.

The term 'calcium source' refers to a source of calcium, preferably calcium carbonate. In preferred embodiments this calcium source is lime. Lime refers to calcium carbonate and has the standard meaning known to those skilled in the art.

In preferred embodiments the calcium source is shell lime. Shell lime is produced from shells and is often found contained within sea mud or greywacke. Sites containing this combination of materials are known around the world.

In certain embodiments, the calcium source can be added to the sea mud if shell lime is not already present, or not present in the preferred concentration.

In preferred embodiments however, shell lime is added to the sea mud, or is already present in the sea mud or greywacke. Shell lime has the advantage of also containing the elements imparted by seawater. This is an advantage over other sources of calcium carbonate, which do not contain the extra elements.

The combination of sea mud and shell lime produces a highly mineralised product that is balanced with respect to plant nutrition. This balance provides plants with all the essential elements and effectively gives plants an initial growth boost, as well as assisting a maintained growth.

In preferred embodiments, the level of application of the silica source and calcium source will be dependant on the content of the soil that is to be treated. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fertiliser composition, said composition including a silica source, with at least one of a calcium source and a paramagnetic source.

The term 'paramagnetic source' in accordance with the present invention should be understood to mean a material that has paramagnetic qualities. The term 'paramagnetic' refers to a body or substance tending to become weakly magnetised so as to lie parallel to a magnetic field force.

In preferred embodiments paramagnetic source is rock dust. Rock dust should be understood to refer to paramagnetic rock that has been finely ground. Paramagnetic rock has little or no polarity. A paramagnetic rock's 'effectiveness' can be measured in centimetre grams per second (cgs). This is a measurement of when a product is placed next to a 2000 gauss magnet and its attractiveness is measured.

Rock dust usually comes from a volcanic source and imparts a slight magnetic field. This is slightly unusual, as the rock should only have low levels of iron and magnetic fields are normally associated with the presence of iron.

In preferred embodiments the paramagnetic rock will have a rating of 1500 cgs or higher.

In preferred embodiments, the level of application of the silica source, the calcium source and the paramagnetic source will be dependant on the content of the soil that is to be treated.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fertiliser composition, said composition including a silica source, with at least one of the following, a calcium source, a paramagnetic source and an iron source.

The term 'iron source' in accordance with the present invention should be understood to mean a material rich in iron, for example iron sand, Fe₂O₃, lodestone or magnetite, although these are listed by way of example only and should not be sent to be limiting.

In preferred embodiments the iron source is iron sand. This type of sand is very stable and has a high polarity.

The combination of components, being, in preferred embodiments, sea mud, shell lime, rock dust and iron sand, provides an unexpected advantage, that advantage being the increased growth, strength and increased resilience to water deprivation. Sea mud carries fine particles of silica as well as phosphate and boron. These elements are constituents of solar panels.

When these products are exposed to light, electricity is produced. Photons from the sun hit these elements and electrons are dislodged. At this stage, light and heat are also given off. These effects are beneficial as they warm the soil in winter.

The natural angle of the sun has a balancing effect throughout the year, as the angle of the sun will determine how much exposure of the sun' s rays to the soil there is.

It should be appreciated that not only the visible area of the light spectrum has a part to play in the process as described, and as such other areas of the light spectrum will also bring about the desired effect of electricity, warmth and heat.

In summer, when the sun is high in the sky, there is a higher angle of the sun in relation to the ground. This means that the sun is shining directly onto the soil and penetrates less soil particles. As such, over the summer months, the soil, being effectively the top 150 to 200mm of soil, does not get overcharged with electrons, and therefore overheated as well.

As, the angle of the sun falls through the seasons, more soil particles are exposed as the sun is at a lower trajectory, thus making up for lower sunshine hours and less direct heat from the sun by increasing the charge in the soil and increasing the heat added to the soil. This also explains why such rapid growth is observed closer to the poles in their short seasons. Low trajectory sun for with long daylight hours provides sustained rapid growth over the short growing season.

Once low voltage electricity has been produced within the soil, it requires a direction in which to move. Natural electrical flow around the earth is east to west and magnetite, or iron sand present in the soil through addition of the improved fertiliser helps to direct this flow of current.

Once the components for the energy field and the electrical flow are established, the ionised elements from the sea based compounds are able to move in the electrical current and, through electrolysis, attract the 'bound up' elements from the soil, thus bringing that great storehouse of nutrition into plant available form. Electromotive force documented in engineering manuals show that K, Na, Mg and calcium have a high electrode potential, and therefore are the elements most easily carried in a current.

The inventor has found that the magnetite or iron sand draws into lay lines approximately 28 mm apart on the east-west axis. These lay lines appear to only form when the paramagnetic rock is present in the improved fertiliser, and therefore the soil. The magnetite is unusual, as it has the ability to hold magnetic poles, and with the other magnetic field around it from the surrounding rock, the lines form like magnets joining end to end.

These lines have many effects. The first of these effects is that they produce an electromagnetic field, which is known to stimulate and strengthen plant growth.

The second effect produced is that the positive charge produced is opposite to that produced by plants, which are negatively charged. The result is that the positive charge is drawn to the negative, taking with it nutrients required by the plant. The negative charge in the plant comes from photosynthesis where CO₂ is absorbed into the plant where the C is retained and O₂ released. Carbon, being the main constituent of the plant, is negatively charged. Accordingly, carbon based plants are negatively charged.

In an electrical analogy, the plant has become the negative end of the battery and therefore a major attractant to the positive electrical flow in the soil carrying major cations. This enhances plant nutrition from a totally water-soluble system to an electrical system, thus the plant needs much less water to deliver a result.

The third effect is that the presence of electrical current causes electrolysis. This means that the electrical charge produced has the ability to etch minerals from parent soil material that were virtually impossible to extract by any other means.

This is a distinct advantage, as the improved fertiliser will allow plants access to a far greater amount of soil than is currently available now, the maximum available amount being approximately 2 million kilograms of soil per hectare.

The inventor has examined engineering information on ionic corrosion that shows the natural order of electrolysis multiplied by the amount of nutrient in the soil is very close to the required levels for healthy plant growth. For example, calcium is easily affected by electrolysis and is abundant in soils. It is also one of the most important minerals in healthy plant growth. Magnesium, potassium and sodium are also essential growth elements and are abundant in soils.

Iron and aluminium are both abundant in soils, but are both affected far less by natural electrolysis. In contrast, copper and zinc are present in lower levels in the soil, but are easily affected by electrolysis and hence levels measured in plants seem to fit the above suggested equation. ^•

Plants planted in soil with paramagnetic rock dust present exhibit thicker stems, greater leaf area and greater overall size. However, the combination of sea mud, shell lime, rock dust and iron sand provides an even greater benefit clearly illustrating the synergic effect provided by the combination. This combination provides a distinct and measurable advantage over current standard fertilisation techniques and practices.

In preferred embodiments the fertiliser composition containing a silica source and at least one of the following, a calcium source, a paramagnetic source and an iron source also contains a chromium source.

Preferably, this chromium source is chromium ore. Chromium ore has its usual meaning in relation to this invention and is known to someone skilled in the art.

Initial studies have shown that where one of the components as listed above is left out, the results are not as successful, but still more effective than no application at all. The chromium source can be left out of the combination, but the results are measurably improved by its addition. The mechanism by which chromium imparts a benefit is not yet understood, although it should be appreciated that recent studies show chromium to be an essential element in protein production.

It should be appreciated therefore, that should a soil be rich in chromium, the required amount of chromium source could be either reduced, or removed entirely. An analysis of a soil, prior to treatment, will allow a particular mix of components to be combined and applied. This has the advantage of applying a fertiliser specific to the needs of the soil, therefore reducing the possibility of run off and possible pollution of streams and lakes.

It should also be appreciated that in preferred embodiments the iron sand will be added only to certain mixes of the fertiliser. Iron sand, as magnetite, is an extremely stable material and would be added to the fertiliser for an initial treatment of soil, but only further added when recommended by a soil analysis. While the other nutrients are consumed, the iron sand will stay present for a longer period of time, hence its application only at intermittent points rather than each time the improved fertiliser is laid down.

It should also be appreciated that while the combination of the silica source, the calcium source, the paramagnetic source, the iron source and the chromium provide an unexpected advantage, should the calcium source or paramagnetic material source already be present in the soil, their amount present in the fertiliser can be either reduced, or removed according to requirements. An analysis of the soil to be treated, prior to application of the composition, will allow the correct ratio of materials to be applied in order to gain the maximum effect.

It should also be appreciated, that while the composition of the fertiliser can be varied, the amounts being added to a region being treated are considerably less than treatment concentrations currently being used. As such, the ability to vary the composition is an advantage, but it is not essential to performance of the fertiliser.

This reduction in fertiliser has the advantage of allowing lower amounts of fertiliser to be applied to the soil. Because iron sand is very stable, a second application of the fertiliser may require less iron. Also, if a soil is rich in calcium, the ratio can be adjusted accordingly. However, it should be appreciated that the addition of the silica source with the extra elements added from the seawater is essential. While all other components can be varied, the silica source must be present.

In some embodiments, the composition of the fertiliser containing the silica source, the calcium source, the paramagnetic source, the iron source and the chromium source include: silica source, 20-80wt%, calcium source, 10-50 wt%, paramagnetic source, 10-50 wt%, iron source, 1-10 wt% and chromium source trace amounts.

In preferred embodiments, the composition of the fertiliser containing the silica source, the calcium source, the paramagnetic source, the iron source and the chromium source include: silica source, 30-60wt%, calcium source, 20-40 wt%, paramagnetic source, 10-30 wt%, iron source, 1-5 wt% and chromium source trace amounts.

This composition has the advantage of providing each source in an amount ideal to the majority of soil types. This means that the fertiliser can also be used without further alterations to the ratio of components, thus keeping costs down, should that be a preference.

It should be appreciated that the term 'trace' in accordance with the present invention takes its usual scientific meaning, and is known to one skilled in the art. The dictionary definition of trace element defines it as 'a chemical element present in minute quantities' and usually referred to amounts measured in the parts per million (ppm).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of application of an improved fertiliser, as described above, to an imperfect soil, characterised by the step of: a) applying the improved fertiliser to the imperfect soil.

The term "imperfect soil" in accordance with the present invention should be understood to mean a soil that varies from the preferred ratio of elements required to support healthy plant growth and is therefore less than ideal. It should be appreciated that the preferred ratio of elements can vary, depending on the purpose for which the area is to be planted. An area to be heavily cropped may require the addition of a larger amount of improved fertiliser in comparison with, for example, a paddock to be grazed, however these are listed by way of example only and should not be seen to be limiting.

In preferred embodiments, the area requiring treatment is an area of land with vegetation on it, or a pot ready to contain a plant, however, it could also be a bare soil, being prepared for planting, however, these are listed by way of example only and should not be seen to be limiting:

It should be appreciated that the way by which the fertiliser can be applied to an area requiring treatment includes all standard methods of application, including spreading by helicopter, aeroplane, ground spreader vehicle, fertigation, hand application, or the like, however, these are listed by way of example only and should not be seen to be limiting in any way.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of application of an improved fertiliser, as described above to an imperfect soil, characterised by the steps of:

b) undertaking a soil analysis of the imperfect soil

c) . premixing the components of the fertiliser to compliment the requirements of the imperfect soil, and d) applying the fertiliser to the imperfect soil.

By undertaking a soil analysis before applying the fertiliser, a particular ratio of components can be developed that is specific to the region being treated. Should an area be rich in, for example iron sand, that component can be reduced.

This improved fertiliser has a distinct advantage over current fertilisers, as the application rate of this improved fertiliser would facilitate a drop of a standard 300- 400 kilograms per hectare down to just 80 to 150 kilograms per hectare for standard applications on pastoral properties and 400Kg for cropping and orcharding. This would therefore decrease the amount of fertiliser available for runoff. In turn, this reduction would decrease or eliminate the present eutrophication problems in New Zealand waterways and lakes. It would also bring New Zealand closer to meeting EU requirements for limited fertiliser applications.

It should be appreciated however, that application rates could be increased where a heavy incorporation is required, for example, with intensive cropping where the fertiliser is applied and then ploughed into the soil prior to planting. The preferred rate of application could be in the order of 400 kilograms per hectare, however this higher rate of application would be undertaken to achieve a particular purpose rather than be seen as a normal application level. For example, a heavy application rate could be maintained for two to three years in order to lift the soil to a preferred level of nutrient concentration. Once that level is achieved, application rates could be lowered to a level required to maintain the concentration of nutrients, rather than increasing them further. This is particularly applicable to the level of iron sand added to the soil, as iron sand is very stable and takes longer to break down.

Another advantage of this improved fertiliser is that it appears to impart a change in form and growth patterns in plants. The cell structure appears to be strengthened and as such plants are more upright. Increased plant growth is therefore facilitated, as more of the plant is available to the sun, and the benefits of such are transferred to the animals feeding on the plants. An application of the fertiliser brings a change to higher nutrition plants. Pastures change from predominantly rye grasses to red clovers prairie grasses, plantains and other natural herbs. These are all proven to be high mineral carrying plants will other medicinal qualities as well.

Red clover is highly sensitive to soil content. Any variance of soil composition away from ideal is reflected in the level of red clover present in a paddock at any one time. Red Clover is particularly sensitive to available calcium content, and levels of such must be high for the clover to be both present and persistent. The level of occurrence of red clover prior to application of the improved fertiliser disclosed here was approximately nil. There was no apparent occurrence of red clover observed in the test paddocks. After application of the improved fertiliser and a period of time to allow for absorption and growth, the level rose to anywhere between 30 and 70% content of the paddock being red clover. This increase in red clover is noted on all regions treated with the improved fertiliser.

Calcium presence in feedstocks provides a high nutritional lift to stock. Ryegrass in general consists of 0.5% Calcium, whereas Red Clover has 2% Calcium, therefore the increased occurrence of red clover is very favourable over Ryegrass.

Prairie grasses must have a good range of minerals available to proliferate in a paddock. They will not grow well under standard NPK conditions and will definitely not persist. Accordingly Prairie grass must be seeded into a paddock. Prairie grasses are a preferred feed to a grazing animal and highly nutritious, so seeding is often undertaken to improve animal condition. The level of prairie grass observed in test paddocks prior to application of the improved fertiliser was nil, post application plus time increased the occurrence of Prairie grass to 30 to 50 percent of the paddock content during late autumn to mid spring. Additionally, once the soil conditions were ideal, the Prairie grass became very regenerative, removing the need for reseeding. This is a distinct advantage over the present situation.

Plantains grow well if the conditions are right. If conditions are far from ideal, purposefully seeded plantains such as flat weed will stay flat and not be attractive to animals as a feed source. If conditions are right, the purposefully seeded flat weed will grow in an upright manner to a height of 15 to 25 centimetres. Plantains have high available mineral levels and stock will eat plantains over ryegrass. Additionally, plantains are high in natural tannins, which have been shown to be good for animal parasite resistance. Again, test paddocks prior to application showed minimal occurrence, and the form of the Plantains was flat. Post application the plants became upright and regenerative and increased in occurrence.

Natural herbs such as yarrow and fennel will naturally occur in paddocks if soil conditions are favourable. Again, the stock prefer them to ryegrass and the natural herbs are high in minerals and the subsequent meat can be naturally flavoured by the consumption of such herbs.

Animals feeding on plants grown using this improved fertiliser therefore gain increased nutrition without the need for increased feed.

Physical measurable results obtained from applications of the improved fertiliser record a change from a non-linear electrical flow of approx 0.04 volts to 0.1 volt of linear flow.

This electrical flow becomes very linear with the electrical flux lines forming 28mm apart running in an east/west direction. Results differ from type of soil on the increase of charge but all become linear.

Prior to application of the improved fertiliser, varying soil types demonstrated an electrical flow in a general east/west direction, but with no defined linear flow. After application of the improved fertilizer, attempts at measuring the electrical flow required skill to locate the lay line due to definitive and narrow lay lines formed. The formation of the lay lines provides proof that the fertiliser has taken effect in the soil, facilitating the formation of the lines, and therefore activating the increased electrical flow.

Marine based soils showed a lift in electrical flow from 0.03 volts to 0.1 volt approximately, with the typical linear lay lines forming.

Ash soils showed a lift in electrical flow from 0.04 volts to 0.09 volts with the same lay line result as Marine soils.

Peat based soils shown an increase in electrical flow from 0.02 volts to 0.06/0.07 volts.

It should however be appreciated that these voltage readings will not become apparent directly after application of the improved fertiliser, for example, within 30 minutes. Time must be allowed for absorption of both the fertiliser and the suns energy.

Application of the improved fertiliser is bringing about a 40% increase in production on kiwifruit orchards. As harvests are not yet complete at the time of filing this application, final results cannot be statistically confirmed, but figures from the growers prior to harvest given their own past experience are indicating the considerable increase. Additionally, it has been reported that high levels of calcium in kiwifruit increase the keeping qualities, or length of time in storage dramatically. As the improved fertiliser facilitates the increased uptake of available calcium, it can be inferred that the keeping time of kiwifruit will increase also, and at least the storage time of the kiwifruit better predicted.

In dairy herds increases in production have been noted with the study farms showing a 10% increase in production, while neighbouring farms not using the said fertiliser are showing an 8-10% decrease given the unfavourable weather conditions of the 2002/03 season.

Additionally, animal health improvements and a total lowering of costs due to the increase of nutrition have been shown. These have been very distinctive going against the trends of surrounding farms that have suffered lower production and animal health worries with very inclement weather. A case study of one farm has shown conception rates have changed remarkably. The farm has gone from a calving pattern which was 15 weeks to a projected pattern of 9 weeks. They have 10% gains in the production season to date; somatic cell counts 40% down on previous years. Net bills dramatically decreased. The standard veterinary health bill for a dairy cow in New Zealand is approximately NZD$30/animal per year. The veterinary health bill for the test farm is approximately NZD$10/animal per year

Product quality and lowering of costs have been very apparent in beef and lamb production. A considerable increase in growth coupled with lower fat content of meat and better tenderness. This quality is recognised by premium restaurants and has been proven to be nutritionally superior.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a composition for use with growing plants, said composition including a fertiliser composition, as described previously, and soil.

In preferred embodiments, the soil is for use as a potting mix for potted plants or the like, or for further addition to gardens and planters for enrichment of the soil currently in place.

A soil already pre-impregnated with the improved fertiliser would have the advantage of creating a value added potting mix product. Consumers would not need to add fertiliser to the soil; the fertiliser is already present in the correct treatment amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the tables below in which:

Table 1 lists a preferred embodiment of the fertiliser, being the preferred range of components of the fertiliser;

Table 2 lists the mineral content, being the preferred embodiment of the improved fertiliser.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment, the percentage range of each component of the improved fertiliser is shown in table 1.

Table 1: Preferred contents of improved fertiliser

Given the preferred content of the improved fertiliser, as illustrated in Table 1, Table 2 lists the preferred mineral content of the improved fertiliser. Table 2: Preferred composition of trace elements in improved fertiliser

By way of example, if a Farmer were to require an application of the improved fertiliser to a farm that:

• was dairy farm of 70-80 Hectares in size,

• carried 200 head of dairy cattle,

• had been a dairy farm solely for a twenty-year period, and

• had low calcium and magnesium content, but high potassium and phosphorous (due to the addition of N-P-K fertilisers),

the application rate of the improved fertiliser would be approximately 200Kg per hectare. This application rate should result in calcium base saturation levels of approximately 65 percent or more. Application could be by way of top dressing track, plane or helicopter, depending on the terrain and accessibility of the farm. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appending claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE:

1. A fertiliser composition, which includes

a silica source and any combination of

a calcium source, or a paramagnetic source, or an iron source.

2. A fertiliser composition, which includes

a silica source and any combination of

a calcium source and/or a paramagnetic source and/or an iron source.

3. A fertiliser composition, which includes

a silica source and

a calcium source, or a paramagnetic source, or an iron source.

4. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, where the silica source is obtained from sea mud.

5. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the silica source is obtained from sedimentary rock.

6. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the level of silica in the silica source is greater than or equal to 40wt%.

7. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the level of silica in the silica source is greater than or equal to 60wt%.

8. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the silica source is in powder form.

9. A fertiliser composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein the particle diameter of powdered the silica source is less than or equal to 130 micrometers.

10. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the composition is suspended in a liquid.

11. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the calcium source is obtained from lime.

12. A fertiliser composition as claim in claim 11 wherein the calcium source is obtained from shell lime.

13. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the paramagnetic source is obtained from rock dust.

14. A fertiliser composition as claimed in claim 13 wherein the rock dust is obtained from volcanic material.

15. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 13 or 14 wherein the paramagnetic source has an effectiveness rating of greater than or equal to 1500cgs.

16. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the iron source is obtained from iron sand.

17. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the iron source is obtained from lodestone.

18. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the iron source is obtained from magnetite.

19. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the iron source is Fe₂O .

20. A fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 which

includes at least one chromium source.

21. A fertiliser composition as claimed in claim 20 wherein the chromium source is chromium ore.

22. A fertiliser composition characterised in that said composition includes silica source, 20-80 wt%, calcium source, 10-50 wt%, paramagnetic source, 10-50 wt%, iron source, 1-10 wt% chromium source trace amounts

23. A fertiliser composition as claimed in claim 22 wherein said composition includes silica source, 30-60 wt%, calcium source, 20-40 wt%, paramagnetic source, 10-30 wt%, iron source, ■ 1-5 wt% chromium source trace amounts

24. A method of application of a fertiliser composition, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23 to an imperfect soil, characterised by the step of:

a) applying the improved fertiliser to the imperfect soil.

25. A method of application of fertiliser composition, as claimed in claim 24, characterised by the steps of:

a) undertaking a soil analysis of the imperfect soil b) premixing the components of the fertiliser to compliment the requirements of the imperfect soil, and

c) applying the fertiliser to the imperfect soil.

26. A composition for use with growing plants, said composition including a fertiliser composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23 and soil.

27. A fertiliser composition substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying examples.

28. A method of using a fertiliser composition substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying examples.