Biofertilizer formulation from algae and related methods
A biofertilizer is disclosed that include specific formulations of algae biomass and a mycorrhizal fungus. This biofertilizer may be a useful way of utilizing algae biomass created for carbon sequestration purposes for a productive agricultural purpose. The combination of algae biomass and mycorrhizal fungus may provide advantageous effects to a crop, as the algae may be a nutrient source for both the crop itself and also for the mycorrhizal fungus that allows the fungus to grow and form a mycorrhizal relationship with the root system of the crop. The biofertilizer may be pelletized with rice hull filler and have a specific range of moisture content, so as to be compatible to agricultural fertilizer delivery equipment. Methods of manufacturing the pelletize biofertilizer are also provided.
1. A biofertilizer comprising:
algae biomass;
a mycorrhizal fungus; and
an organic filler;
wherein algae biomass comprises between 50.0 and 70.0 weight percent of the biofertilizer, and the mycorrhizal fungus comprises between 1.0 and 2.0 weight percent of the biofertilizer;
wherein the biofertilizer has a wet basis moisture content of between 6.0 and 10.0 weight percent; and
wherein the pellets have a mechanical durability according to ASABE Standard S269.5 of at least 70%.
2. The biofertilizer according to claim 1 , wherein the biofertilizer is pelletized into pellets, and the pellets are configured to be compatible with agricultural fertilizer delivery equipment.
3. The biofertilizer according to claim 1 , the biofertilizer is pelletized into pellets, the pellets having a size of from about 1 cm 3 to about 9 cm 3 and being substantially cubical in shape wherein each dimension is within 10% of each other dimension.
4. The biofertilizer according to claim 1 , further wherein the organic filler comprises between 25.0 and 49.0 weight percent of the biofertilizer.
5. The biofertilizer according to claim 1 , wherein the organic filler includes rice hulls comprising between 25.0 and 49.0 weight percent of the biofertilizer.
6. The biofertilizer according to claim 1 , further comprising nutrients including a nitrogen source, a phosphorus source, and a potassium source.
7. The biofertilizer according to claim 1 , wherein the mycorrhizal fungus is selected from the group consisting of: Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus deserticola, Rhizopogon villosulus, Rhizopogon luteolus, Rhizopogon amylopogon, Rhizopogon fulvigleba , and Pisolithus tinctorius.
8. The biofertilizer according to claim 1 , wherein the mycorrhizal fungus is live in the biofertilizer, such that the mycorrhizal fungus consumes the algae biomass upon exposure to appropriate growing conditions.
9. The biofertilizer according to claim 1 , wherein the algae biomass is derived from an algae including from the group consisting of Chlorella, Botryococcus, Chlamydomonas, and Spirogyra, and mixtures thereof.
10. The biofertilizer according to claim 1 , wherein
the algae biomass comprises about 66 weight percent of the biofertilizer;
the mycorrhizal fungus comprises about 1 weight percent of the biofertilizer; and
the organic filler comprises about 33 weight percent of the biofertilizer.
11. A pelletized biofertilizer comprising:
algae biomass comprising between 50.0 and 70.0 weight percent of the biofertilizer;
a mycorrhizal fungus comprising between 1.0 and 2.0 weight percent of the biofertilizer;
an organic filler comprising between 25.0 and 49.0 weight percent of the biofertilizer; and
nutrients, including a nitrogen source, a phosphorus source, and a potassium source;
wherein the pellets are configured to be compatible with agricultural fertilizer delivery equipment;
wherein the biofertilizer has a wet basis moisture content of between 6.0 and 10.0 weight percent; and
wherein the pellets have a mechanical durability according to ASABE Standard S269.5 of at least 80%.
12. The pelletized biofertilizer according to claim 11 , wherein the pellets have a size of from about 1 cm 3 to about 9 cm 3 .
13. The pelletized biofertilizer according to claim 11 , wherein the pellets have a mechanical durability according to ASABE Standard S269.5 of at least 90%.
14. The pelletized biofertilizer according to claim 11 , wherein:
the mycorrhizal fungus is live in the biofertilizer, such that the mycorrhizal fungus consumes the algae biomass upon exposure to appropriate growing conditions; and
the mycorrhizal fungus is selected from the group consisting of: Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus deserticola, Rhizopogon villosulus, Rhizopogon luteolus, Rhizopogon amylopogon, Rhizopogon fulvigleba , and Pisolithus tinctorius.
15. The pelletized biofertilizer according to claim 11 , wherein the pellets have a size of from about 1 cm 3 to about 9 cm 3 and are substantially cubical in shape wherein each dimension is within 10% of each other dimension.
16. The pelletized biofertilizer according to claim 11 , wherein:
the nitrogen source is urea;
the phosphorus source is triple superphosphate; and
the potassium source is potassium nitrate.
17. The pelletized biofertilizer according to claim 11 , wherein the algae biomass is derived from an algae including Chlorella, Botryococcus, Chlamydomonas, and Spirogyra.
18. The pelletized biofertilizer according to claim 11 , wherein the organic filler is selected from the group consisting of sand, limestone, sawdust, ground corn cobs, and rice hulls.