NZ743933B2 - Fertilizer Compositions and uses thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to fertiliser compositions, and methods of making and using such compositions. In particular, the invention relates to fertiliser compositions comprising humates, urea and lime, wherein the humate comprises more than 27% humic acid, and the use of such compositions to provide one or more benefits to agricultural and/or horticultural production, including one or more of improving crop health, crop yield, soil health, and soil microbiota. rovide one or more benefits to agricultural and/or horticultural production, including one or more of improving crop health, crop yield, soil health, and soil microbiota.

Description

Fertilizer Compositions and uses thereof TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to fertiliser compositions, and methods of making and using such compositions. In particular, the invention relates to fertiliser compositions comprising humates, and the use of such compositions to provide one or more benefits to agricultural and/or horticultural production, including one or more of improving crop health, crop yield, soil health, and soil microbiota.

BACKGROUND The use of fertilisers to improve plant growth and crop yield is well-known, and their widespread use is generally considered to be the major enabler of current levels of agricultural production. Typically, fertilisers include various combinations of nitrogen, potassium, and sodium, and may additionally include trace elements such as magnesium. The agricultural use of humates is also known. The widespread use of modern fertilisers has, however, been associated with a number of undesirable environmental impacts, including groundwater damage or contamination, and a reduction in soil fertility.

There remains a need for agriculturally and horticulturally acceptable compositions for use in improving plant growth, crop yield, and soil condition.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems, to provide methods and compositions for enhancing plant growth, and/or enhancing soil condition, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art. All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention relates to a method of providing one or more nutrients to a plant or a substrate in which a plant is or is to be planted, the method comprising applying to the plant or the substrate a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w of humate to urea.

In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of from about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w of humate to urea.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of enhancing plant growth, the method comprising applying to a plant or a locus at which a plant is or is to be planted a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of from about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w of humate to urea.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of enhancing soil condition, the method comprising applying to the soil a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of from about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w of humate to urea, and where the enhancement in soil condition comprises an increase in soil microbial population and/or an increase in soil microbial biodiversity.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of improving plant health, production, or nutritional, environmental or economic value, or of improving the productive capacity or the nutritional, environmental or economic value of a locus where a plant is or is to be planted, the method comprising applying to the plant or the locus a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of from about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w of humate to urea.

In one embodiment, the improvement is an improvement in yield. For example, the plant is a crop plant, wherein the improvement is an improvement in crop yield.

In one embodiment, the improvement is a reduction in nitrogen leaching at the locus.

In one embodiment, the improvement is an increase in soil microbial population. In one embodiment, the increase in soil microbial population is an increase in total soil bacterial population. In another embodiment, the increase in soil microbial population is an increase in total soil gammaproteobacterial population.

In another embodiment, the improvement is an increase in soil microbial biodiversity. In one embodiment, the increase in soil microbial biodiversity is an increase in fungal biodiversity.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of treating the soil of pastoral land, the method comprising applying to the soil a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of from about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w of humate to urea.

In various aspects, the present invention relates to a method of providing one or more nutrients to a plant or a substrate in which a plant is or is to be planted, a method of enhancing plant growth, a method of enhancing soil condition, a method of improving plant health, production, or nutritional, environmental or economic value, or of improving the productive capacity or the nutritional, environmental or economic value of a locus where a plant is or is to be planted, a method of treating the soil of pastoral land, the method comprising applying to the plant or the substrate a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, and b) a fertilizer, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w of humate to fertiliser.

In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of from about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w of humate to fertiliser.

In various aspects, the present invention relates to a method of providing one or more nutrients to a plant or a substrate in which a plant is or is to be planted, a method of enhancing plant growth, a method of enhancing soil condition, a method of improving plant health, production, or nutritional, environmental or economic value, or of improving the productive capacity or the nutritional, environmental or economic value of a locus where a plant is or is to be planted, a method of treating the soil of pastoral land, the method comprising applying to the plant or the substrate a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, and b) a fertilizer, wherein the humate comprises more than about 25% w/w humic acid.

In one embodiment, the humate comprises more than about 30% w/w humic acid, for example, the humate comprises more than about 35% w/w humic acid.

In one embodiment, the humate comprises more than about 25% w/w humic acid and the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of from about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w of humate to fertiliser.

In other aspects, the present invention relates to a method of providing one or more nutrients to a plant or a substrate in which a plant is or is to be planted, a method of enhancing plant growth, a method of enhancing soil condition, a method of improving plant health, production, or nutritional, environmental or economic value, or of improving the productive capacity or the nutritional, environmental or economic value of a locus where a plant is or is to be planted, a method of treating the soil of pastoral land, the method comprising applying to the plant or the substrate a humate or a composition comprising a humate, wherein the humate comprises more than about 25% w/w humic acid.

In other aspects, the present invention relates to a method of providing one or more nutrients to a plant or a substrate in which a plant is or is to be planted, a method of enhancing plant growth, a method of enhancing soil condition, a method of improving plant health, production, or nutritional, environmental or economic value, or of improving the productive capacity or the nutritional, environmental or economic value of a locus where a plant is or is to be planted, a method of treating the soil of pastoral land, the method comprising a) providing a humate determined to have a humic acid content of greater than about 25% w/w, b) applying to the plant or the substrate the humate or a composition comprising the humate, optionally together with a fertiliser.

In other aspects, the present invention relates to a method of providing one or more nutrients to a plant or a substrate in which a plant is or is to be planted, a method of enhancing plant growth, a method of enhancing soil condition, a method of improving plant health, production, or nutritional, environmental or economic value, or of improving the productive capacity or the nutritional, environmental or economic value of a locus where a plant is or is to be planted, a method of treating the soil of pastoral land, the method comprising a) determining the humic acid content of a sample from a humate, and b) selecting humate having a humic acid content of greater than about 25% w/w, and c) applying to the plant or the substrate the humate or a composition comprising the humate, optionally together with a fertiliser.

In certain embodiments, the humate comprises more than about 30% w/w humic acid, for example, the humate comprises more than about 35% w/w humic acid.

In one embodiment, the method of treating the soil of pastoral land is a method of treating the soil of pastoral land to increase pasture production. In another embodiment, the method of treating the soil of pastoral land is a method of treating the soil of pastoral land to increase soil microbial population and/or increase soil microbial biodiversity.

Accordingly, in various embodiments, the plant is a pasture grass, such as fescue, ryegrass, cocksfoot, or bluegrass, a clover, or a grain such as wheat, maize, rice, rye, oat, or barley.

In other embodiments, the plant is a crop plant.

In one embodiment, the composition comprising a humate and/or the fertiliser comprises one or more agriculturally acceptable carriers and/or one or more additional agents.

In various embodiments, the composition comprising a humate and/or the fertiliser comprises an effective amount of one or more of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, magnesium, calcium, boron, manganese, or any combination of two or more thereof.

In one embodiment, the composition comprising a humate additionally comprises a nitrogen source. For example, the composition comprising a humate additionally comprises urea, or the composition additionally comprises lime, or the composition additionally comprises both lime and urea.

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides an agriculturally acceptable composition comprising a) at least about 5% w/w humate, b) at least about 5% w/w lime, and/or c) at least about 70% w/w urea, and/or d) each of a) to c) above, and/or e) an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

In one embodiment, the composition comprises at least about 10% w/w humate, at least about 15% w/w humate, at least about 20% w/w humate, or more than about 20% w/w humate.

In one representative example, the composition comprises about 10% w/w humate, about % w/w lime, and about 80% w/w urea.

In various examples, the humate comprises more than about 20% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, for example, more than about 22% w/w, more than about 24% w/w, more than about 26% w/w, more than about 28% w/w, more than about 30% w/w, more than about 32% w/w, more than about 34% w/w, more than about 36% w/w, more than about 38% w/w, or more than about 40% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof.

In various examples, the humate comprises more than about 200 g humic acid or one or more salts thereof per kilogram of humate, for example, more than about 210 g, more than about 220 g, more than about 220 g, more than about 230 g, more than about 240 g, more than about 250 g, more than about 260 g, more than about 270 g, more than about 280 g, more than about 290 g, more than about 300 g, more than about 310 g, more than about 320 g, more than about 330 g, more than about 340 g, more than about 350 g, more than about 360 g, more than about 370 g, more than about 380 g, more than about 390 g, more than about 400 g, or more than about 410 g of humic acid or one or more salts thereof per kilogram humate.

In various embodiments, the fertiliser comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of urea phosphate, urea sulphur, urea potash, or a mixture or any two or more thereof.

In various embodiments, the humate, the composition comprising a humate, and/or the fertilser are applied to a plant or a locus where a plant is or is to be planted using standard solid-phase distribution techniques. For example, the humate or composition comprising a humate is blown, spread, or disbursed over a locus where one or more plants are or are to be planted. In one exemplary embodiment, the humate or composition comprising a humate is sprayed, spread or blown onto a pasture.

In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser is applied to substantially cover the locus, for example a pasture.

In various embodiments, the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w humate to urea. For example, the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 7.5% w/w humate to urea, more than about 10% w/w, more than about 12.5% w/w, more than about 15% w/w, more than about 17.5% w/w, more than about % w/w, more than about 22.5% w/w, more than about 25% w/w, more than about 27.5% w/w, more than about 30% w/w, more than about 32.5% w/w, more than about 35% w/w, more than about 37.5% w/w, or more than about 40% w/w humate to urea.

In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate is applied to provide more than about 0.1 Kg of humic acid per hectare, for example, more than about 0.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 1 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 2 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 3 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 4 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 5 Kg/Ha, or more kilograms of humic acid per hectare, and useful ranges may be selected between any of these values.

In one embodiment, a method described herein increases plant growth, such as pasture growth, or increases plant yield, such as pasture yield.

In one embodiment, the method increases pasture dry matter production by at least about % compared to untreated pasture, for example increases dry matter production by at least about %, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% compared to untreated pasture, and useful ranges may be selected between any of these values.

In some embodiments, the method increases pasture dry matter production by at least about 15% to about 50%, for example from about 15% to about 20% compared to untreated pasture.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7).

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a graph showing pasture yield (dry matter (Kg) per hectare per day) across 3 trial groups: a no treatment group (◊ Nil), urea (30 Kg/Ha) only (* Urea), and urea + humate (• composition 1), as presented in Example 1.

Figure 2 presents two graphs showing a time course of the effect of treatment with 30 Kg/Ha urea only (◊ 0%), 30 Kg/Ha urea + 10% w/w humate (▪ 10%), 30 Kg/Ha urea + 20% w/w humate (∆ 20%), and a composition comprising 30 Kg/Ha urea + 10% high humic acid humate + 10% lime (* composition 1), on pasture yield. Figure 2.1 presents the production response in the deep soil phase over the course of a three-month summer season, and Figure 2.2 presents the production response in the shallow soil phase over the same period, as described herein in Example 2 herein.

Figure 3 is a graph depicting total daily production (dry matter (Kg)/Ha/day) of the shallow soil phase and of the deep soil phase, averaged across all fertiliser treatments, as described herein in Example 2.

Figure 4 presents three graphs showing the effect of treatment with urea (30 Kg/Ha) only (* Urea), and urea + humate + lime (• composition 1), on pasture yield relative to that of unfertilised pasture (◊ Nil). Figure 4.1 presents the results over a first August -> March season, Figure 4.2 presents the results over a second August-> July season, and Figure 4.3 presents the results over a third August -> April season, as described in Example 3 herein.

Figure 5 presents a graph depicting total nitrogen in the soil of each treatment group at the end of the second August -> July season, as described herein in Example 3.

Figure 6 presents a similarity plot depicting the effect of various fertiliser treatments on soil bacterial composition, as described in Example 3 herein.

Figure 7 presents a similarity plot depicting the effect of various fertiliser treatments on soil gammaproteobacterial composition, as described in Example 3 herein.

Figure 8 presents a similarity plot depicting the effect of various fertiliser treatments on soil fungal composition, as described in Example 3 herein.

Figure 9 presents three graphs depicting fertiliser effect on soil microbiological biodiversity, as described in Example 3 herein. Figure 9.1 presents the average number of bacterial groups present in each treatment group, Figure 9.2 presents the average number of gammaproteobacterial groups present in each treatment group, and Figure 9.3 presents the average number of fungal groups present in each treatment group. Error bars are +/- standard error.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to methods and compositions for improving plant health, production, and/or the nutritional, environmental or economic value of one or more plants, in addition to methods and compositions for improving the condition and/or productive capacity of substrates in which plants are grown, and particularly soils including pastoral land. The invention thereby provides methods and compositions for improving the health and production of plants, for example crops and pasture, but also for mitigating negative environmental impacts associated with the application or overapplication of fertilisers, and particularly modern fertilisers. The present invention contemplates the application of humates and/or compositions comprising one or more humates in conjunction with one or more fertilisers, and particularly one or more fertilisers comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea.

In certain embodiments, the humate or composition comprising a humate and the fertiliser are applied simultaneously. In other embodiments, the humate or composition comprising a humate and the fertiliser are applied sequentially. Generally, sequential application will be done with a minimal delay between application of the humate or composition comprising a humate. For example, the fertiliser is applied within about four weeks, for example within about three weeks of application of the humate or composition comprising a humate.

While methods of applying the combination of a humate and a urea -containing fertiliser as described herein can be implemented using a variety of application rates and application frequencies, the applicants believe, without wishing to be bound by any theory, that optimal application rates and frequencies are determinable for a given plant or substrate so as to minimise overdosing and/or waste, while maximising efficacy.

In one example, fertiliser is applied at a rate to provide from about 10 kg urea per hectare to about 40 kg urea per hectare. The frequency of application is typically monthly or bimonthly, although frequency may be varied over the growing season.

Humates useful herein comprise humic acid or one or more salts thereof, and additionally may comprise fulvic acid, and one or more elements or trace elements. In certain embodiments, the humate comprises more than about 20% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, for example, more than about 21% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, more than about 22% w/w, more than about 23% w/w, more than about 24% w/w, more than about 25% w/w, more than about 26% w/w, more than about 27% w/w, more than about 28% w/w, more than about 29% w/w, more than about 30% w/w, more than about 31% w/w, more than about 32% w/w, more than about 33% w/w, more than about 34% w/w, more than about 35% w/w, more than about 36% w/w, more than about 37% w/w, more than about 38% w/w, more than about 39% w/w, or more than about 40% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof. Typically, w/w is assessed on a dry matter basis.

A comprehensive analysis of the composition of a representative humate useful herein is depicted in Table 2 herein.

Application to soil In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser are applied to a plant or a locus in which a plant is or is to be planted, such as, for example, a pasture. The humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser may be spread by spraying, blowing, spinning or pneumatic application such that the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser cover 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% of the plants or locus, such as a pasture.

In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate is applied to provide more than about 0.2 Kg of humate per hectare, for example, more than about 0.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 1 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 2 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 3 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 4 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 5 Kg/Ha, or more kilograms of humate per hectare, and useful ranges may be selected between any of these values.

In another embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate is applied to provide more than about 5.1 Kg of humate per hectare, for example, more than about 5.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 5.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 5.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 5.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 5.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 5.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 5.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 5.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 6 Kg/Ha, more than about 6.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 6.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 6.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 6.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 6.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 6.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 6.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 6.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 6.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 7 Kg/Ha, more than about 7.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 7.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 7.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 7.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 7.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 7.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 7.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 7.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 7.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 8 Kg/Ha, more than about 8.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 8.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 8.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 8.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 8.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 8.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 8.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 8.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 8.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 9 Kg/Ha, more than about 9.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 9.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 9.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 9.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 9.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 9.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 9.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 9.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 9.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 10 Kg/Ha, or more kilograms of humate per hectare, and useful ranges may be selected between any of these values.

In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate is applied to provide more than about 0.1 Kg of humic acid per hectare, for example, more than about 0.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 0.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 1 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 1.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 2 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 2.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 3 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 3.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 4 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.1 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.2 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.3 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.4 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.5 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.6 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.7 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.8 Kg/Ha, more than about 4.9 Kg/Ha, more than about 5 Kg/Ha, or more kilograms of humic acid per hectare, and useful ranges may be selected between any of these values.

In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser are applied to a plant or a locus in which a plant is or is to be planted to provide about 5, 10, , 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100 g/Ha humic acid or a salt thereof, and useful ranges may be selected between any of these values (for example, about 5 to about 100, about 5 to about 90, about 5 to about 75, about 5 to about 60, about 5 to about 55, about 5 to about 40, about 5 to about 30, about 5 to about 20, about 10 to about 95, about 10 to about 90, about 10 to about 80, about 10 to about 70, about 10 to about 60, about 10 to about 55, about 10 to about 40, about 10 to about 30, about 10 to about 20, about 15 to about 90, about 15 to about 80, about 15 to about 60, about 15 to about 50, about 20 to about 100, about 20 to about 90, about 20 to about 85, about 20 to about 80, about 20 to about 75, about 20 to about 60, about 20 to about 55, about 20 to about 40, about 25 to about 100, about 25 to about 80, about 25 to about 75, about 25 to about 60, about 25 to about 55, about 25 to about 40, about 30 to about 100, about 30 to about 90, about 30 to about 80, about 30 to about 70, about 30 to about 60, about 30 to about 50, about 40 to about 100, about 40 to about 95, about 40 to about 85, about 40 to about 65, about 40 to about 60, about 40 to about 55, about 50 to about 100, about 50 to about 80, about 50 to about 70, about 50 to about 60, about 60 to about 100, about 60 to about 85, about 60 to about 75, about 75 to about 100, about 75 to about 80, about 85 to about 100, about 85 to about 90, or about 90 to about 100 g/Ha).

In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate and the fertiliser increase pasture dry matter production by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100%, and useful ranges may be selected between any of these values (for example, about 5 to about 100, about 5 to about 90, about 5 to about 75, about 5 to about 60, about 5 to about 55, about 5 to about 40, about 5 to about 30, about 5 to about 20, about 10 to about 95, about to about 90, about 10 to about 80, about 10 to about 70, about 10 to about 60, about 10 to about 55, about 10 to about 40, about 10 to about 30, about 10 to about 20, about 15 to about 90, about 15 to about 80, about 15 to about 60, about 15 to about 50, about 20 to about 100, about 20 to about 90, about 20 to about 85, about 20 to about 80, about 20 to about 75, about 20 to about 60, about 20 to about 55, about 20 to about 40, about 25 to about 100, about 25 to about 80, about 25 to about 75, about 25 to about 60, about 25 to about 55, about 25 to about 40, about 30 to about 100, about 30 to about 90, about 30 to about 80, about 30 to about 70, about 30 to about 60, about 30 to about 50, about 40 to about 100, about 40 to about 95, about 40 to about 85, about 40 to about 65, about 40 to about 60, about 40 to about 55, about 50 to about 100, about 50 to about 80, about 50 to about 70, about 50 to about 60, about 60 to about 100, about 60 to about 85, about 60 to about 75, about 75 to about 100, about 75 to about 80, about 85 to about 100, about 85 to about 90, or about 90 to about 100%).

In one embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate and the fertiliser increase the microbial population and/or microbial biodiversity by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, , 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100%, and useful ranges may be selected between any of these values (for example, about 5 to about 100, about 5 to about 90, about 5 to about 75, about 5 to about 60, about 5 to about 55, about 5 to about 40, about 5 to about 30, about 5 to about 20, about 10 to about 95, about 10 to about 90, about 10 to about 80, about 10 to about 70, about 10 to about 60, about 10 to about 55, about 10 to about 40, about 10 to about 30, about 10 to about 20, about 15 to about 90, about 15 to about 80, about 15 to about 60, about 15 to about 50, about 20 to about 100, about 20 to about 90, about 20 to about 85, about 20 to about 80, about 20 to about 75, about 20 to about 60, about 20 to about 55, about 20 to about 40, about 25 to about 100, about 25 to about 80, about 25 to about 75, about 25 to about 60, about 25 to about 55, about 25 to about 40, about 30 to about 100, about 30 to about 90, about 30 to about 80, about 30 to about 70, about 30 to about 60, about 30 to about 50, about 40 to about 100, about 40 to about 95, about 40 to about 85, about 40 to about 65, about 40 to about 60, about 40 to about 55, about 50 to about 100, about 50 to about 80, about 50 to about 70, about 50 to about 60, about 60 to about 100, about 60 to about 85, about 60 to about 75, about 75 to about 100, about 75 to about 80, about 85 to about 100, about 85 to about 90, or about 90 to about 100%).

In various embodiments, the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser is spread onto soil, pasture, crops, arable land in accordance with known application methods.

For example, the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser is loaded into a vehicle mounted hopper and distributed onto the soil. Spraying, blowing and spinning are commonly used methods of distributing agricultural compositions, and spinner trucks and blower trucks, as are commonly used in the art, are convenient vehicles to distribute the humates, compositions and fertilisers described herein. In other examples, application by side dressing or by aerial spraying are used.

In one embodiment, the application method comprises spraying or distributing the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser by handgun or commercial airblast, for example using air-drilling or other pneumatic techniques.

In another embodiment, the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser is applied to the soil by subsurface application, for example via standard processes as are known in the art, such as drilling and air-drilling.

In certain embodiments, application of irrigation water follows application of the humate or composition comprising the humate, and/or of the fertiliser, to the soil. It should be appreciated that rain subsequent to application may also be sufficient to disperse the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser into the soil.

In the context of agricultural crops, it will be appreciated that the methods and compositions described herein will typically be employed pre-harvest, so as to provide the health and/or production benefits described herein. However, post-harvest application, for example to enhance soil condition and/or to mitigate one or more negative effects of fertiliser use, is certainly contemplated.

Accordingly, the humate or composition comprising the humate and/or the fertiliser as described herein can be used to treat or pretreat soils, and in certain embodiments can be applied with or to seeds.

It will be appreciated that the humate or composition comprising the humate, and/or the fertiliser can each independently be prepared in various liquid or solid forms as are commonly used in the art. For example, in one embodiment the humate, the composition comprising the humate, and/or the fertiliser is prepared and/or applied in a solid form, such as prills, granules, or powders. In other embodiments, any one or more of the humate, the composition comprising the humate, and/or the fertiliser is prepared and/or applied in a liquid form, including for example suspensions ancillaries. The preparation of suitable application forms is well understood in the art and can be chosen in accordance with the desired mode of application.

In certain embodiments, the fertiliser is or comprises urea, and application of such urea- based ferilisers has been shown herein to particularly benefit plant and soil health and productivity using the methods and compositions described herein. In other embodiments, the use of fertilisers lacking urea is provided. For example, phosphate and superphosphate ferilisers, sulphur and/or sulphate comprising fertilisers, calcium comprising fertilisers (including calcium oxide), metal oxide comprising fertilisers, magnesium comprising fertilisers (including magnesium oxide), and fertilisers comprising particulates solids, such as but not limited to fine rock, serpentine, lime, dolomite, and zeolite, are all amenable to use with the humate and/or composition comprising humate as described herein. So- called biological fertilisers, such as those comprising sulphate of potash, muriate of potash (potassium chloride), guano, gypsum, kieserite (magnesium sulphate), serpentine, dolomite, and sulphate of ammonia, are specifically contemplated for use in the methods described herein, for example in situations where organic certification or compliance with certain regulatory environments is desired. For example, in one particularly contemplated embodiment, the methods described herein employ high humic acid humate together with sulphate of ammonia. Those skilled in the art would, on reading the specification, recognise that the methods and compositions described herein are in various embodiments suitable for use with inorganic, organic, and biological fertilisers, as appropriate or desired for a given application.

Agriculturally acceptable carriers and additional agents The invention contemplates in certain embodiments the use of selected humates in unprocessed or relatively unprocessed form, including humates that are essentially unchanged in composition from that in which they are extracted or naturally occur, including humates that for example have undergone only milling, grinding, or comminution, for example to ease handling. In other embodiments, the humate or humates is prepared or applied as a composition comprising one or more agriculturally acceptable carriers, and/or one or more additional agents. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the composition comprising the humate, and/or the fertiliser comprises one or more agriculturally acceptable carriers, and/or one or more additional agents. In other embodiments, the humate or the composition comprising the humate, and/or the fertiliser is administered together with one or more agriculturally acceptable carriers, and/or one or more additional agents.

In various embodiments, the at least one agriculturally acceptable carrier is any substance typically used to formulate an agricultural composition.

In one embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable carrier is selected from the group comprising fillers, solvents, excipients, surfactants, suspending agents, speaders/stickers (adhesives), antifoaming agents, dispersants, wetting agents, drift reducing agents, auxiliaries, adjuvants, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.

For example, the at least one carrier is selected from the group consisting of a filler stimulant, an anti-caking agent, a wetting agent, an emulsifier, and an antioxidant, for example said composition comprises at least one of each of a filler stimulant, an anti-caking agent, a wetting agent, an emulsifier, and an antioxidant.

In one embodiment, said filler stimulant is a carbohydrate source, such as a disaccharide including, for example, sucrose, an oligosaccharide including for example starch, fructose, glucose, mannitol or dextrose.

In one embodiment, said anti-caking agent is selected from talc, silicon dioxide, calcium silicate, or kaolin clay, said wetting agent is skimmed milk powder, or any commercially available product such as Duwett™, or Latron™.

In one embodiment, said emulsifier is a soy-based emulsifier such as lecithin or a vegetable- based emulsifier such as monodiglyceride.

In one embodiment, said antioxidant is sodium glutamate or citric acid or potassium sorbate or an alcohol.

In one embodiment, solid carriers include but are not limited to mineral earths such as silicic acids, silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, attapulgus clay, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, bentonite, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, aluminas calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, peat, ground plastics, fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, and ureas, and vegetable products such as grain meals, bark meal, wood meal, and nutshell meal, cellulosic powders, seaweed powders, peat, talc, carbohydrates such as mono-saccharides and di- saccharides, starch extracted from corn or potato or tapioca, chemically or physically altered corn starch and the like. As solid carriers for granules the following are suitable: crushed or fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite; synthetic granules of inorganic or organic meals; granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, corn cobs, corn husks or tobacco stalks; kieselguhr, tricalcium phosphate, powdered cork, or absorbent carbon black; water soluble polymers, resins, waxes; or solid fertilizers. Such solid compositions may, if desired, contain one or more compatible wetting, dispersing, emulsifying or colouring agents which, when solid, may also serve as a diluent.

In various embodiments, the carrier used during preparation of the compositions or fertilisers described herein is a liquid, for example, water; alcohols, particularly butanol or glycol, as well as their ethers or esters, particularly methylglycol acetate; ketones, particularly acetone, cyclohexanone, methylethyl ketone, methylisobutylketone, or isophorone; petroleum fractions such as paraffinic or aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly xylenes or alkyl naphthalenes; mineral or vegetable oils; aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, particularly trichloroethane or methylene chloride; aromatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, particularly chlorobenzenes; water-soluble or strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, or N-methylpyrrolidone; liquefied gases; or the like or a mixture thereof.

In one embodiment surfactants include nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and/or amphoteric surfactants. Said surfactants are typically used during preparation of the compositions or fertilisers described herein.

Spreaders/stickers promote the ability of the compositions or fertilisers described herein to adhere to surfaces, and/or the ability of the components of the granules of the invention to adhere to one another during preparation. Examples of surfactants, spreaders/stickers include but are not limited to Tween and Triton (Rhom and Hass Company), Fortune®, Pulse, C. Daxoil®, Codacide oil®, D-C. Tate®, Supamet Oil, Bond®, Penetrant, Glowelt®, and Freeway, Citowett®, Fortune Plus™, Fortune Plus Lite, Fruimec, Fruimec lite, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, e.g., ligninsulfonic acid, phenolsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid and dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, and of fatty acids, alkyl and alkylaryl sulfonates, and alkyl, lauryl ether and fatty alcohol sulfates, and salts of sulfated hexadecanols, heptadecanols, and octadecanols, salts of fatty alcohol glycol ethers, condensation products of sulfonated naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives with formaldehyde, condensation products of naphthalene or naphthalenesulfonic acids with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octylphenol ethers, ethoxylated isooctylphenol, ethoxylated octylphenol and ethoxylated nonylphenol, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ethers, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, isotridecyl alcohol, fatty alcohol ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetal, sorbitol esters, lignin-sulfite waste liquors and methyl cellulose. Where selected for inclusion, one or more agricultural surfactants, such as Tween, are desirably included in the composition according to known protocols.

In various embodiments wetting agents are used in the methods of preparation of the compositions or fertilisers described herein. Examples of wetting agents include but are not limited to salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulfonic acids, salts of phenolsulfonic or naphthalenesulfonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or fatty acids or fatty esters or fatty amines, substituted phenols (particularly alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of sulfosuccinic acid esters, taurine derivatives (particularly alkyltaurates), phosphoric esters of alcohols or of polycondensates of ethylene oxide with phenols, esters of fatty acids with polyols, or sulfate, sulfonate or phosphate functional derivatives of the above compounds.

The compositions or fertilisers described herein are in various embodiments formulated with, and in other embodiments used in combination with one or more other agricultural agents, including one or more pesticides, insecticides, acaracides, fungicides, bactericides, herbicides, antibiotics, antiphytopathogenic microbials, nematicides, rodenticides, entomopathogens, pheromones, attractants, plant growth regulators, plant hormones, insect growth regulators, chemosterilants, phytopathogenic microbial pest control agents, repellents, viruses, phagostimulents, plant nutrients, plant fertilisers and biological controls.

When used in combination with other agricultural agents the administration of the two agents may be separate, simultaneous or sequential. Specific examples of these agricultural agents are known to those skilled in the art, and many are readily commercially available.

Examples of plant nutrients include but are not limited to nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, boron, potassium, copper, iron, phosphorus, sulphate, manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, boron, copper, silicon, selenium, nickel, aluminium, chromium and zinc.

Examples of antibiotics include but are not limited to oxytetracyline and streptomycin.

Examples of fungicides include but are not limited to the following classes of fungicides: carboxamides, benzimidazoles, triazoles, hydroxypyridines, dicarboxamides, phenylamides, thiadiazoles, carbamates, cyano-oximes, cinnamic acid derivatives, morpholines, imidazoles, beta-methoxy acrylates and pyridines/pyrimidines.

Further examples of fungicides include but are not limited to natural fungicides, organic fungicides, sulphur-based fungicides, copper/calcium fungicides and elicitors of plant host defences.

Examples of natural fungicides include but are not limited to whole milk, whey, fatty acids or esterified fatty acids.

Examples of organic fungicides include but are not limited to any fungicide which passes an organic certification standard such as biocontrol agents, natural products, elicitors (some of may also be classed as natural products), and sulphur and copper fungicides (limited to restricted use).

An example of a sulphur-based fungicide is Kumulus™ DF (BASF, Germany). An example of a copper fungicide is Kocide® 2000 DF (Griffin Corporation, USA).

Examples of elicitors include but are not limited to chitosan, Bion™, BABA (DL--amino-n- butanoic acid, β-aminobutyric acid), salicylic acid or its derivatives (e.g. Actigard, Syngenta) and Milsana™ (Western Farm Service, Inc., USA).

In certain embodiments, non-organic fungicides may be employed. Examples of non- organic fungicides include but are not limited to Bravo™ (for control of powdery mildew on cucurbits); Supershield™ (Yates, NZ) (for control of Botrytis and powdery mildew on roses); Topas® EW (for control of PM on grapes and cucurbits); Flint™ (for control of powdery mildew on apples and cucurbits); Amistar® WG (for control of rust and powdery mildew on cereals); and Captan™, Dithane™, Euparen™, Rovral™, Scala™, Shirlan™, Switch™ and Teldor™ (for control of Botrytis on grapes).

Examples of pesticides include but are not limited to azoxystrobin, bitertanol, carboxin, CuO, copper hydroxide, copper sulphate, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dichlofluamid, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxiconazole, fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, fluquiconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, furalaxyl, guazatin, hexaconazole, hymexazol, imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, kresoxim- methyl, lime sulphur, mancozeb, metalaxyl, R-metalaxyl, metconazole, oxadixyl, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, prochloraz, propiconazole, pyroquilone, SSF-, spiroxamin, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, tolifluamid, triazoxide, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole, triticonazole and uniconazole.

An example of a biological control agent is the BotryZen™ biological control agent comprising Ulocladium oudemansii.

Certain embodiments of compositions or fertilisers described herein comprise one or more carbohydrates, such as but not limited to molasses; one or more gums, such as but not limited to guar gum, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, cassia gum, konjac flour, beta-glucan, tara gum, gum arabic, gellan gum, carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, gum acacia, chitosan, arabinoglactins, alginate, pectin, carrageenan, or psyllium; one or more acids, particularly weak acids such as citric acid, sorbic acid, or sorbate, and other ingredients, such as one or more algae, seaweed, or extracts thereof.

In various embodiments, the at least one additional agent is one or more trace elements, one or more nitrification inhibitors, one or more urease inhibitors, one or more growth stimulants, one or more microbes, or one or more other agriculturally acceptable agents, including agriculturally acceptable agents typically used in an agricultural composition.

Specifically contemplated embodiments of compositions or fertilisers described herein comprise trace elements, such as but not limited to manganese, magnesium, zinc, potassium, sodium, cobalt, sulphur (which may conveniently be provided as a sulphate), molybdate, copper, selenium, and iron (which may conveniently be provided as a chelate).

In various examples, the additional agent is a nitrification inhibitor. Nitrification inhibitors are substances that slow or stop the conversion of soil ammonium to nitrate. Exemplary nitrification inhibitors include N-2,5-dichlorophenyl succinamic acid, 2-chlorotrichloromethyl pyridine (“Nitrapyrin”), dicyandiamide (“DCD or “DCDIN”, which is HN=C(NH2)-NH-CN), zinc ethylene-bis- dithiocarbamate, 2,4,6-trichloroaniline, pentachlorophenol, thio-urea, ATS (ammonium thiosulphate), and pyrazole derivatives, such as DMPP (3,4 dimethylpyrazol phosphate), 3-MP (3-methylpyrazole) and/or DMP (3,4-dimethylpyrazole), including water soluble forms of pyrazole derivatives.

Urease inhibitors, typically used to inhibit the activity of soil urease, can be classified according to their structure or function, and representative classes include sulphydryl reagents, hydroxamates, agricultural crop protection chemicals, and structural analogues of urea and related compounds, such as the organophosphorus inhibitors, particularly the phosphorodiamidates, the phosphorotriamides and the triophosphorotriamides.

Exemplary urease inhibitors suitable for use in the present invention include N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBTPT or NBPT), cyclohexylphosphoric triamide (CHPT), cyclohexyl thiophosphoric triamide (CHTPT), cyclohexyl phosphric triamide (CNPT), phenyl phosphorodiamidate (PPDA), N-(n-butyl) phosphoric triamide (BNPO or NBPTO), thiophoshoryl triamide (TPT), phenyl phosphorodiamidate (PPD/PPDA), phosphoric triamide (PT), hydroquinone (HQ), P-benzoquinone, hexaamidocyclotriphosphazene (HACTP), thiophyridines, thiophyrimidines, thiophyridine-Noxides, NN- dihaloimidazolidinone, and N-halooxazolidinone.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only and in no way limits the scope thereof.

EXAMPLES Example One This example describes a field trial in which pasture yield on an irrigated, high fertility dairy pasture at Rakaia, Canterbury, New Zealand was assessed across three treatment groups: no fertiliser, urea fertiliser only, and a composition comprising urea and humate comprising more than about 35% humic acid.

Methods The trial started in December and monthly production was measured until the following May. In the first treatment group, urea at 30 Kg/Ha was applied to 32 plots each of 10 m , while urea at Kg/Ha plus humate (also referred to herein as composition 1) was applied to a second treatment group of 32 10 m plots. The control group comprised 32 10m plots to which no fertiliser was applied.

Application followed each grazing round on shallow and deep soil phases. The plots were arranged in standard randomised block experimental design separated by 1 m buffer strips.

Results Treatment with composition 1 gave the greatest increase in pasture yield on the shallow soil phase, 37% higher than untreated pasture (see Figure 1). Urea gave a 25% average increase in yield compared to untreated control (see Figure 1). Production on the deep soil phase was 35% higher than on the shallow soil phase.

Example Two This example describes a field trial in which pasture yield on an irrigated, high fertility dairy pasture at Rakaia, Canterbury, New Zealand was assessed across four treatment groups: urea fertiliser only, urea and 10% humate, urea and 20% humate, and composition 1 comprising urea and humate comprising more than about 35% humic acid.

Methods In the first treatment group, urea at 30 Kg/Ha was applied to 32 plots each of 10 m , while urea at 30 Kg/Ha plus 10% w/w humate was applied to a second treatment group of 32 10 m plots.

Urea at 30 Kg/Ha plus 20% w/w humate was applied to a third treatment group of 32 10 m plots.

Composition 1 (comprising urea at 30 Kg/Ha plus 10% w/w humate plus 10% w/w lime) was applied to a fourth treatment group of 32 10 m plots. Application followed each grazing round on shallow and deep soil phases. Fertilisers were applied in December and in January, and pasture production was assessed in March by weighing after double cutting each 10 m plot. The plots were arranged in standard randomised block experimental design separated by 1 m buffer strips.

Results Urea only increased pasture production by 15% on a shallow soil and decreased yield by 7% on a deep soil. Humate addition increased production by 36% on the shallow soil phases and by 7% on the deep soil phase. Humate addition consistently increased summer production (January – March) resulting in an average increase of 14% on the shallow soil phase and 21% on the deep soil phase, compared to urea alone.

The increase in production, scaled relative to the yield with 30 kg/ha of urea only, is shown in Figure 2. Production response of the deep soil phase is shown in Figure 2.1, while that of the shallow soil phase is shown in Figure 2.2.

Soil phase had a large effect on pasture yield. Production was increased by 105% on the deep soil phase compared to the shallow soil phase (see Figure 3), averaged across all fertiliser applications.

Discussion These results show that the addition of high humic acid humates to urea increased pasture growth and the efficiency of nitrogen usage. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, applicants believe that the increased effectiveness compared with urea only could be due to minimizing volatilisation losses or by increasing nutrient supply through enhanced soil microbial activity. The response to humate is consistent with results from similar trials in other locations across Canterbury, Central Otago, Wanaka and Southland (data not shown).

Nitrogen deficiency is a major factor limiting pasture production throughout many countries including New Zealand, so the performance of N supplying fertilisers is of considerable interest to farmers given current concerns regarding nutrient leaching and regulatory N capping. It is expected that increased efficiency could increase profitability, decrease N application rates, and potential or N leaching.

Example Three The effect of humate and fertiliser application on pasture production and soil microbiota was measured in a field trial near Mataura, Southland, over a three year period. Monthly or bimonthly application of urea or urea plus humate increased pasture production.

Methods Treatment groups were as described in Example 1 above.

Preliminary microscopy assessments in season 1 indicated that soil microbial activity may be affected by fertiliser treatment. To further examine a possible humate effect on soil microbiology, topsoils (0 - 7.5 cm depth) in the forty plots in trial were sampled in January of season 3 and sent to Lincoln University for DNA extraction to measure fungal and bacterial composition.

After DNA extraction, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used for separating DNA fragments to determine species diversity and biomass. Phoretix 1D Pro and Primer ver.7.0.5 software was used for DNA band measurement. Individual DNA electrophoresis bands usually correspond to individual species of bacteria or fungi, thus providing an assessment of microbial biodiversity. DNA sequences specific to bacteria with nitrogen fixation capability, the gammaproteobacteria, were independently analysed.

The similarity of microbial composition in plots was assessed by multivariate analysis using hierarchical cluster analysis in the pvclust routine in the statistics package R. This indentified groups by similarity profiling and determined the statistical probability of difference between groups by repeat random multiscale resampling (bootstrap resampling, 10,000 resamples). Pvclust generated two probability p-values estimates: AU values are approximately unbiased and BP values are those calculated by normal bootstrap resampling. AU values provide a better approximation to unbiased P values (Suzuki, R and Shimoda, H. 2014. An R package for hierarchical clustering with p-values. www.sigmath.es.osaka-U.ac.jp/shimo-lab/prog/pvclust).

Results Trials over the first season demonstrated a 22% average increase in pasture production compared with urea (see Figure 4.1), consistent with a 28% increase in an equivalent trial in Otago (data not shown). As shown in Figures 4.2 and 4.3, this improvement in pasture yield compared to urea alone was consistently observed over subsequent seasons. Marked improvement in pasture yield compared to non-treated control groups were observed in each season (Figures 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3).

Total nitrogen (N) leached in winter was 143% greater with the urea than with unfertilised pasture (see Figure 5). Leaching under composition 1 was increased by 52% over that of untreated pasture (Figure 5).

Preliminary microscopy assessments in season 1 indicated that soil microbial activity may be affected by fertiliser treatment. Active bacterial and fungal biomass was between 20% - 359% greater in plots to which humate + urea-comprising fertiliser composition was applied, compared to unfertilized (control) plots. Application of humate + urea-comprising fertiliser composition increased active fungal biomass by 135% compared to urea alone (P < 0.09).

DNA electrophoresis separation showed 59 taxa3 of bacteria, 53 gammaproteobacteria and 65 fungal taxa. The relationship between fertiliser application and soil microbial populations is shown in cluster analysis plot diagrams (Figures 6-8). In these graphs groups become progressively more similar towards the bottom of the graph (lower height values) and the probability values AU (red) and BP (green) are shown for each classification. Higher values indicate strong differentiation between the groups, and those greater than 95% are statistically unlikely to have arisen by chance.

Bacterial composition Bacterial populations in the unfertilised plots are shown to be the most dissimilar from all the other populations and separate from all fertilised plots (Figure 6).

Plots where urea with 20% humate was applied then separate from the remaining plots.

Urea fertilised plots then separate from plots with humate added. P values indicate weaker differentiation and the more overlap between the urea / urea+20% humate groups (probability estimate 66%) than between urea and the urea + 10% humate groups (88%).

Gammaproteobacteria composition Gammaproteobacteria (see Figure 7) followed an identical response to fertilisers as fungi but with stronger differentiation between groups. The separation between urea and the urea+ humate plots was statistically significant (p< 0.01, AU 99%) as was the distinction between urea + 10% humate and the remaining groups (P<0.05, AU 96%).

Fungal composition Soil fungal community composition was similar to bacteria and gammaproteobacteria, also most different between fertilised and unfertilised plots (see Figure 8). Fungal communities under pasture with urea application were then differentiated from those under the urea plus humate applications (AU 75%). Plots with guano then separated from urea + humate plots (AU 100%, p< 0.01).

The differences in the cluster analysis are due to specific increases in particular microbial taxa with each fertiliser application as fertiliser application did not greatly affect the total number of bacterial and gammaproteobacterial groups present, ranging between - 9% less or 7% more than untreated pasture (Figure 9). In contrast, fertiliser application increased the number of fungal groups by up to 92% with urea application (Figure 9; p < 0.08).

Discussion The results presented show that fertiliser application did not significantly alter the number of bacterial or gammaproteobacterial taxa present but significantly altered soil microbial composition (p< 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that unfertilised and fertilised pasture differed most in bacterial, gammaproteobacteria and fungal populations.

Humate addition to urea was the second strongest differentiating factor for microbial populations. Fertiliser composition, believed (without wishing to be bound by any theory) to be due to the presence or absence of phosphorous, was frequently the least differentiating factor.

Two seasons of fertiliser application significantly altered soil microbiological communities.

The primary difference observed was between unfertilised and the urea fertiliser combinations supplying nitrogen. Both fungal and bacterial populations changed as a direct response to fertiliser application, with fungi in particular increasing with urea application.

Application of high humic acid humate in conjunction with urea, rather than differences in fertiliser composition, was responsible for the second level of differentiation in microbial biodiversity.

These results show that humate application in accordance with the methods and compositions described herein changes soil microbiological composition.

Example Four This example presents compositional analyses of representative high-humic acid humates suitable for use as described herein.

Table 1 below shows the humic acid, fulvic acid, and carbon composition of a high humic acid humate particularly contemplated for use herein (Sample 1), compared to two low humic acid reference humates (Sample 2 and Sample 3, Humate Solutions, Te Puke, New Zealand).

Table 1 - Humic Fulvic Analysis.

Sample Humic Acid Fulvic Acid Total Carbon CEC % % % Meq/100g Sample 1 36.63 0.06 44.87 104.9 Sample 2 26.32 0.07 43.23 99.0 Sample 3 14.84 0.06 41.52 138.3 Compositional analysis was performed at an analytical laboratory, in accordance with established methods for determining humic acid and fulvic acid concentration (as described in “Separation and Analysis of Humic Acid (HA) and Fulvic Acid (FA).” J.M Verploegh, and L.A. Brandvold), total carbon % was determined according to AOAC Official Method 993.13, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) was determined according to Methods of Analysis for Soils Plants and Waters. Chapman and Pratt (1961) p.35.

Table 2 below shows a comprehensive compositional analysis of different fractions of a high humic acid humate particularly contemplated for use herein.

Table 2. Compositional analysis Analysis Fines Top Bottom Comp Unit FA 2.03 0.94 1.10 1.05 % HA 32.74 27.17 38.12 10.4 % Ag < 0.5 < 0.5 1.1 < 0.5 ppm Al 0.25 0.07 0.14 0.80 % As < 1 6 < 1 2 ppm B 137 43 110 206 ppm Ba 25 18 27 35 ppm Bi 3 3 4 1 ppm Ca 0.82 0.84 0.81 0.45 % Cd 1 1 1 < 1 ppm Cl 0.06 0.04 0.04 0.02 % Co 2 2 1 5 ppm Cr 1 < 1 < 1 1 ppm Cu 2 1 2 4 ppm Fe 1.01 0.72 1.01 0.37 % Hg 26 23 31 67 ppb K 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.03 % La 1 2 < 1 3 ppm Mg 0.29 0.40 0.31 0.13 % Mn 225 155 240 43 ppm Mo < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 ppm N 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.2 % Na 0.11 0.04 0.04 0.04 % Ni 1.1 4.3 1.5 1.8 ppm P < 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 0.02 % Pb 2 1 1 2 ppm S < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 % Sb 1 < 1 1 < 1 ppm Se 0.6 0.8 0.5 2.1 ppm Si 0.81 0.07 0.18 0.78 % Sr 111 119 111 190 Ppm Th 8 6 9 3 Ppm Ti 0.01 < 0.01 0.01 0.03 % U < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 ppm V 4 1 2 6 ppm W < 1 < 1 < 1 1 ppm Zn 13 4 1 14 ppm Zr 3 1 3 8 ppm pH 4.8 4.7 5.5 4.4 - CEC 72 78 69 37 meq/100g Ash 8.2 6.6 6.2 6.4 % Moisture 49.7 51.8 49.6 14.6 % Humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) results were determined using the HPTA standardized test method (Humic Products Trade Association, http://www.aapfco.org/presentations/2015/2015_MF_analysis_humic_substances_hpta.pdf).

All metal and trace element results were analysed using the ICP and ultimate methods.

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) results calculated as the sum of calcium, magnesium, hydrogen, potassium, and sodium, in meq/100 g, and pH results were analysed at 1:1 water: sample ratio. Ash results were completed at 600 °C, and moisture results were completed at 105 °C. Fulvic acid, humic acid, metal, trace element, and ash results were analysed on a dry matter basis.

Table 3 below shows compositional analyses of a high humic acid humate particularly contemplated for use herein, performed under different drying conditions.

Table 3. Analysis at different drying conditions Analysis - As Received Basis Method % Moisture ISO 5068 50.1 Total Humates ISO 5073 30.3 Carbon ASTM 5373 31.9 Hydrogen ASTM 5373 2.23 Nitrogen ASTM 5373 0.28 Analysis - Air Dried Basis Moisture ISO 11722 50.1 Total Humates ISO 5073 30.3 Carbon ASTM 5373 31.9 Hydrogen ASTM 5373 2.23 Nitrogen ASTM 5373 0.28 Analysis - Dry Basis Total Humates ISO 5073 60.8 Carbon ASTM 5373 63.9 Hydrogen ASTM 5373 4.47 Nitrogen ASTM 5373 0.57 Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims (24)

1. A method of providing one or more nutrients to a plant or a substrate in which a plant is or is to be planted, the method comprising applying to the plant or the substrate a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, wherein the humate includes more than 27% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea and lime, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w of humate to fertilizer.

2. A method of enhancing plant growth, the method comprising applying to a plant a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, wherein the humate includes more than 27% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea and lime, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w of humate to fertilizer.

3. A method of enhancing plant growth, the method comprising applying to a locus at which a plant is or is to be planted a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, wherein the humate includes more than 27% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea and lime, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w of humate to fertilizer.

4. A method of enhancing soil condition, the method comprising applying to the soil a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, wherein the humate includes more than 27% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea and lime, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w of humate to fertilizer, and where the enhancement in soil condition comprises an increase in soil microbial population and/or an increase in soil microbial biodiversity.

5. A method of improving plant health, production, or nutritional, environmental or economic value, or of improving the productive capacity or the nutritional, environmental or economic value of a locus where a plant is or is to be planted, the method comprising applying to the plant or the locus a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, wherein the humate includes more than 27% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea and lime, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w of humate to fertilizer.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the improvement is an improvement in yield.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the plant is a crop plant, and the improvement is an improvement in crop yield.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the improvement is a reduction in nitrogen leaching at the locus.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein the improvement is an increase in soil microbial population.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the increase in soil microbial population is an increase in total soil bacterial population.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the increase in soil microbial population is an increase in total soil gammaproteobacterial population.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the improvement is an increase in soil microbial biodiversity.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the increase in soil microbial biodiversity is an increase in fungal biodiversity.

14. A method of treating the soil of pastoral land, the method comprising applying to the soil a) a humate or a composition comprising a humate, wherein the humate includes more than 27% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, and b) a fertilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of urea and lime, wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w of humate to fertiliser.

15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w of humate to fertiliser.

16. The method of any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the humate comprises more than about 30% w/w humic acid.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the humate comprises more than about 35% w/w humic acid.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the humate comprises more than about 30% w/w humic acid and the humate or composition comprising a humate is applied at a rate of more than about 5% w/w to about 30% w/w of humate to fertiliser.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the plant is a pasture grass, such as fescue, ryegrass, cocksfoot, or bluegrass, a clover, or a grain such as wheat, maize, rice, rye, oat, or barley.

20. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18 the plant is a crop plant.

21. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein when used, the composition comprising a humate and/or the fertiliser comprises one or more agriculturally acceptable carriers and/or one or more additional agents.

22. An agriculturally acceptable composition comprising a) more than about 5% w/w humate, wherein the humate includes more than 27% w/w humic acid or one or more salts thereof, b) at least about 5% w/w lime, and c) at least about 70% w/w urea, d) and optionally an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

23. The composition of claim 22 comprising at least about 10% w/w humate, at least about 15% w/w humate, at least about 20% w/w humate, or more than about 20% w/w humate.

24. The composition of claim 22 comprising about 10% w/w humate, about 10% w/w lime, and about 80% w/w urea.