Methods and Composition for Improving Soil Quality
OwnerRobin J. Cookinventor
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Abstract
A soil-amendment product for preparing a damaged or degraded soil ecosystem to establish a self-sustaining floral/vegetative rhizosphere contains a mixture of composted organic biomass, fiber, charcoal, and small amounts of inoculants to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms including mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Embodiments also contain a water-holding agent such as a starch-based polymer that is effective to prevent water from flowing downhill or seeping away from the surface. Methods of application and other uses for the soil-amendment product are also described and claimed.
Claims19
A soil amendment composition comprising:
- 66-95% by weight of fibrous organic biomass;
- 5-25% by weight of charcoal;
- 0.5-3% by weight of a mycorrhizae-promoting agent;
- 0.5-3% by weight of a microbial component;
- and
- 0.5-3% by weight of a water-storing compound.
A method of applying a soil amendment product, comprising:
- loading a hydroseeder with a water-based slurry comprising partially-decomposed organic biomass, organic fiber, charcoal, mycorrhizae-promoting agent, nitrogen-fixing microbes, and a water-retaining material;
- and
- applying the slurry to a target area by spraying.
A soil amendment product for application by hydroseeder at about 4,483 kilograms per hectare (4,000 pounds per acre) comprising:
- approximately 50% by weight of sedge and rush peat;
- approximately 36.5% by weight of burlap, jute fiber and shredded straw;
- approximately 10% by weight of non-activated charcoal;
- approximately 1.5% by weight of a mycorrhizae-promoting substance;
- approximately 1.5% by weight of one or more nitrogen-fixing bacteria;
- and
- approximately 0.5% by weight of a starch-based polymer that forms a water-storing gel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.