COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING CHITIN-CONTAINING FERTILIZERS
A composition and process for improving the growth-promoting effectiveness of chitin-based fertilizers involves contacting the chitin-based material with a bacteria that secretes chitinase.
1 . A composition comprising:
chitin and a bacteria that secretes chitinase.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the bacteria is Bacillus licheniformis (OBT 618).
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the bacteria is Paenibacillus ehimensis (PE).
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the bacteria is attached to the chitin with a binder.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the bacteria and chitin are present in a liquid suspension.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the chitin is present in the form of ground crab shell.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the chitin is present in the form of ground shrimp shell.
8 . A composition comprising:
a soluble portion of a fermented suspension of chitin and a bacteria that secretes chitinase.
9 . The composition of claim 8 , wherein the bacteria is Bacillus licheniformis (OBT 618).
10 . The composition of claim 8 , wherein the bacteria is Paenibacillus ehimensis (PE).
11 . The composition of claim 8 , wherein the chitin is present in the form of ground crab shell.
12 . The composition of claim 8 , wherein the chitin is present in the form of ground shrimp shell.
13 . A process for promoting plant growth comprising:
applying to the plant, a seed from which the plant is grown, or to an environment in which the plant is grown, a composition including chitin and a bacteria that secretes chitinase.
14 . The process of claim 13 , wherein the bacteria is Bacillus licheniformis (OBT 618).
15 . The process of claim 13 , wherein the bacteria is Paenibacillus ehimensis (PE).
16 . The process of claim 13 , wherein the bacteria is attached to the chitin with a binder.
17 . The process of claim 13 , wherein the bacteria and chitin are present in a liquid suspension.
18 . The process of claim 13 , wherein the chitin is present in the form of ground crab shell.
19 . The process of claim 13 , wherein the chitin is present in the form of ground shrimp shell.
20 . A process for promoting plant growth, comprising:
applying to the plant, a seed from which the plant is grown, or to an environment in which the plant is grown, a composition that is a soluble portion of a fermented suspension of chitin and a bacteria that secretes chitinase.