Micronutrient fertilizers and methods of making and using the same
A water insoluble micronutrient fertilizer, methods of producing, and methods of using the same are provided. The fertilizer may comprise at least one first micronutrient selected from the group consisting of chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc; a polyphosphate; and optionally at least one second micronutrient selected from the group consisting of boron, chlorine, iodine, molybdenum or selenium. The fertilizer compounds are preferably water insoluble, dilute acid soluble, and free-flowing powders.
1. A fertilizer in solid form, the fertilizer comprising a micronutrient metal polyphosphate composition, the micronutrient metal polyphosphate comprising at least 10 wt. % zinc and being derived from a reaction mixture comprising phosphoric acid, zinc, and optionally, one or more micronutrient metals selected from the group consisting of chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, and manganese, provided, however, the amount of phosphoric acid is less than the stoichiometric amount required for the complete conversion of the zinc and optional micronutrient metals in the reaction mixture to the corresponding dihydrogen phosphates and, wherein the micronutrient metal phosphate composition is characterized by having an X-ray diffraction reflection at one or more of the following positions: 6.88 (±0.07), 4.834 (±0.025), 4.24 (±0.02), 3.38 (±0.01), 2.848 (±0.009), 2.585 (±0.007), 2.430 (±0.007), 2.071 (±0.005), 1.934 (±0.004), 1.80 (±0.003), 1.667 (±0.0028), 1.660 (±0.0027), 1.620 (±0.0027) Å.
2. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises 20 to 30 wt % zinc.
3. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises at least 1 wt % iron.
4. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises at least 3 wt % iron.
5. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises at least 1 wt % manganese.
6. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises at least 5 wt % manganese.
7. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises at least 8 wt % manganese.
8. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises at least 1 wt % copper.
9. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises at least 5 wt % copper.
10. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises at least 10 wt % copper.
11. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the micronutrient metal polyphosphate composition comprises at least one secondary micronutrient selected from the group consisting of boron, chlorine, iodine, molybdenum and selenium.
12. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer additionally comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of N—P—K fertilizers, urea, diammonium phosphate, muriate of potash, 2-4D, parathion, malation, s-triazine, china clay, bentonite, attapulgite, manure, gypsum, dolomite, and plant growth hormones.
13. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises less than 0.1 wt % chromium.
14. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises less than 0.1 wt % cobalt.
15. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises less than 0.1 wt % copper.
16. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises less than 0.1 wt % iron.
17. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises less than 0.1 wt % manganese.
18. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer comprises less than 0.1 wt % chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, and manganese in combination.
19. The fertilizer of claim 1 wherein the fertilizer is neutralized with one or more neutralizing bases selected from the group of magnesium oxides, magnesium carbonates, calcium oxides, calcium carbonates, ammonium hydroxides, ammonium carbonates, sodium hydroxides, and sodium carbonates.
20. The fertilizer of claim 19 wherein the fertilizer is neutralized to a pH of between about 3 and about 7.
21. The fertilizer of claim 19 wherein the fertilizer is dried and ground to a powder.