Urea phosphite fertilizer
A new fertilizer comprising Urea Phosphite, which is made by reacting phosphorous acid with urea. Urea Phosphite is characterized by being a liquid produced in an unprocessed reaction, and by having phosphite as a phosphorus source and urea as a nitrogen source. The reaction product may be blended with an admix and spray dried, or dissolved in water.
1. A method for making a fertilizer comprising urea phosphite, comprising reacting together a urea compound and a phosphorous acid compound without the addition of water to produce the fertilizer comprising urea phosphite having the effect of enhancing plant growth when applied to plant seed, plants, and/or soil in which plant seeds or plants are planted; wherein the urea compound and the phosphorous acid compound are solids; and wherein the urea phosphite produced is a clear, colorless liquid.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said reaction is conducted at a temperature ranging from about 15° C. and about 140° C.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising blending the urea phosphite produced with an admix for agricultural use.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising spray drying blended urea phosphite.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the admix is solid such that the fertilizer is dry and water-soluble.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted at room temperature.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the urea compound is selected from the group consisting of urea, thioureas, phenylureas and substituted ureas.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the urea compound and phosphorous acid compound are reacted in a molar ratio of urea to phosphorous acid ranging from about 2:1 to about 1:2.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the urea phosphite is a low pH buffer.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the urea phosphite prevents mineral salts from precipitating in the presence of sulfate ions.