Claims:What is claimed is:
1. A concentrated N-P-K liquid fertilizer with a combination of Seaweed extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids having improved stability consisting essentially a mixture of urea, dibasic potassium phosphate, Seaweed extract, Amino Acids, Humic Acids and water.

2. A concentrated N-P-K liquid fertilizer combination of claim 1 wherein Seaweed extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids are not present or used interchangeably in various combinations along with Urea, dibasic potassium phosphate and water.

3. A concentrated N-P-K liquid fertilizer combination of claim 1 wherein Phosphorous Acid crystal is used in the combination for increasing the ratio of Phosphorous content or increasing the stability.

4. A concentrated N-P-K liquid fertilizer combination of claim 1 wherein Glutaraldehyde is used in the combination for providing biocide activity to prevent bacterial growth and increasing the stability of the solution.

5. A concentrated N-P-K liquid fertilizer combination of claim 1 wherein Potassium Nitrate is used in the combination for increasing the ratio of Nitrogen and or Potassium content or increasing the stability.

6. A concentrated N-P-K liquid fertilizer combination of claim 2 wherein Potassium Nitrate is used in the combination for increasing the ratio of Nitrogen and or Potassium content or increasing the stability.

7. A concentrated N-P-K liquid fertilizer combination of claim 1 wherein Phosphorous Acid crystal and Potassium Nitrate are used in the combination for increasing the ratio of Phosphorous, Nitrogen and or Potassium content respectively or increasing the stability.

8. A concentrated N-P-K liquid fertilizer combination of claim 2 wherein Phosphorous Acid crystal and Potassium Nitrate are used in the combination for increasing the ratio of Phosphorous, Nitrogen and or Potassium content respectively or increasing the stability.

9. A method for providing N-P-K to the plants and promoting growth of plants by applying the composition of claim 1.

10. A method for providing N-P-K to the plants and promoting growth of plants by applying the composition of claim 2.

, Description:Field of the Invention and use of Invention:
This invention relates to a liquid N-P-K formulation with naturally occurring microelements combined with Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids that can be used as a Fertilizer in Agriculture. This formulation uses N-P-K from both Natural and Chemical sources, they are completely dissolved and therefore soluble in water. It contains many micro elements and naturally occurring trace elements that are responsible for growth and overall development of the plants. Being Liquid and completely water soluble, it can be foliar applied as well as applied in the soil through drip irrigation, drenching, flood irrigation or mixed with soil and broadcasted. This invention overcomes many of the problems associated with conventional fertilizers.

Prior Art and problem to be solved: Conventional N-P-K Fertilizers are developed as a granular fertilizer, water soluble crystals and liquid suspensions which are to be broadcast delivered as a solid or dissolved in water prior to soil application or foliar application. However, storage of hygroscopic solids and liquid Suspensions and the time associated with initial dissolution of such salts and Leaching out of these fertilizers due to limited micro-organisms have proven to be major problem. Conventional Fertilizers acidic in nature and are known to create an imbalance in soil pH thereby ruining the quality of the soil. For preparation of NPK fertilizer and provide N (Nitrogen) using Urea is the Cheapest option. In U.S. Patent. No. 3096168 Waters has prepared a suspension of urea in liquid mixed fertilizers. By reacting 1 to 2.5 moles of urea per mole of formaldehyde under acid conditions, urea-formaldehyde resin in water were prepared. The acid medium was preferably phosphoric acid, to which a potassium compound such as potassium chloride may be added. The phosphoric acid is neutralized with ammonia to form an ammonium phosphate.
Formani in U.S. Patent. No. 3677736 made an improvement in Waters Process. The new process was said to produce a liquid fertilizer suspension containing urea having water insoluble nitrogen content of at least 1.5% and an activity index in excess of 60.
However, as noted in Moore U.S. Pat. No. 4033745, neither of the fluid products of Waters and Formani may be stored for commercially required periods of times. Moore attributes this to the fact that the urea-formaldehyde polymers continue to grow in molecular weight and within several days, the fluid fertilizer turns into a semi-solid which cannot be handled in pipes, pumps, nozzles and tanks.
Finally, Moore notes that the use of highly diluted products to prevent gelling and solids formation, results in the urea-formaldehyde polymers settling rapidly to the bottom of the storage or distribution tanks.
Moore's solution to this problem is to add alcohol and sugar additives in an effort to stabilize the polymers for storage. It is stated that the alcohol inhibits the growth, gelling, and precipitation of the neutral urea formaldehyde polymers in the fertilizer. The carbonyl groups of the sugars are believed by Moore to react with the urea-formaldehyde polymer, causing thickening and gel formation which stabilizes the suspension and inhibits layer separation and precipitation. The result is a composition stable and storable for 60 or so days.
However a good NPK Liquid formulation should have storage stability of at least a year and without suspended particles to avoid clogging and blockages in spraying system.
Thus, there exists a need for a liquid N-P-K fertilizer that is fully water soluble with a neutral pH and combines the benefits of naturally occurring seaweed Extracts, Amino Acids and Humic Acids for promoting soil microbial properties that has longer storage stability as compared to conventional fertilizer formulations.

Objects of the Invention:
The problem with the conventional fertilizers and present available technology is that they are either in granulated form for soil application and cannot be foliar applied. Water soluble NPK powder formulations are available but they create pH imbalance in soils, also they lack microelements and trace elements in Seaweed extracts, Amino Acids and Humic Acids. Liquid Suspension of NPK either has low storage life and the particles are known to clog the drip irrigation and spraying systems.
It has already been proposed to have a liquid NPK formulation that combines Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids and is fully water soluble that can be applied via spraying equipment and drip irrigation system. The Principal Object of this invention is to provide a NPK Fertilizer that combines the benefits of Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids that provides microelements required for plant growth along with increasing the microbial activity in the soil for better uptake of NPK.
Another object of this invention is to have a NPK formulation that has longer storage stability, so that the product can be on the shelf for longer period of time. Further object is to create products with different N-P-K ratios to suit the requirement of the crops. Additional object is to have fully water soluble concentrate with no suspended particles so that the drip system and spraying system isn’t clogged while application.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

Summary of the Invention
The present invention meets the need by providing a stable, water soluble liquid NPK fertilizer concentrate that combines Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids containing trace elements and microelements. The said formulation consists of at least one source of Nitrogen and sources for Phosphorous and Potassium are provided. Source for microelements and trace elements is seaweed extract.
The overall nitrogen concentration in the NPK Fertilizer Concentrate is 1-25% by weight and the solution contains substantially no water insoluble nitrogen compounds.
However, it is also a part of the present invention to stabilize liquid NPK Fertilizer of the type which do contain Urea as a nitrogen source. Such liquid fertilizers are of the type disclosed in Waters U.S. Pat. No. 3096168 and Formani U.S. Pat. No. 3677736. The stabilizing agent is in all cases dibasic potassium phosphate and biocide agent being Glutaraldehyde.
The fertilizer is an aqueous mixture of Urea, Dibasic potassium phosphate (K2 HPO4), Potassium Nitrate and Seaweed Extract along with a biocide (glutaraldehyde) to prevent bacteria formation. The most important aspect is by changing the percentage of Urea, Potassium Nitrate, Dibasic potassium phosphate and Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids various grades of N-P-K can be prepared.
In some embodiments, potassium Nitrate and Phosphorous Acid are present interchangeably or both at between 1 to 20% total weight dissolved in water and contains a Dibasic potassium phosphate as supplement as well as stabilizer. The NPK Solution containing Urea, dibasic potassium phosphate, Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids and Glutraldehyde is stable and may be stored for 12 months without significant gelling or precipitation. It does not require large amounts of agitation prior to application through Spraying or drip irrigation equipments.
A process of providing NPK fertilizer to crops includes diluting the fertilizer concentrate with water to obtain a liquid fertilizer solution. The liquid fertilizer solution is then applied to the crop and after the absorption by the crops; the fertilizer solution provides nutrition to crop and promotes growth of the crop.
Detailed Description of the Invention
As mentioned, the stable water soluble liquid N-P-K fertilizer of the present invention is the mixture of four major components, Urea, Dibasic Potassium Phosphate K2HPO4, Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids Liquid formulation, Glutaraldehyde CH2(CH2CHO)2. Phosphorous Acid H3PO3 and Potassium Nitrate KNO3 are used in some embodiments.
All the raw materials used are easily available. Urea and Potassium Nitrate and Seaweed extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids liquid are available in Local fertilizer shops. I choose Urea of “IFFCO” and Sea Pro (concentrated Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids liquid) of “Sunraysia”. Dibasic Potassium Phosphate, Glutaraldehyde and Phosphorous Acid was sourced from a local Lab chemical supplier.
For the N-P-K liquid Fertilizer the cheapest and highly water soluble form of Nitrogen is Urea. Urea contains 46% Nitrogen and is highly water soluble. The Solubility of Urea is 1079 g/L (20 °C) therefore nitrogen content can be made from 1% to 25% of any desired formulation. Dibasic Potassium Phosphate contains 17% Phosphorous and 44% Potassium and is its Solubility is high 149.25 g/100 mL (20 °C) of water. Dibasic Potassium Phosphate not only provides Phosphorous and Potassium to the NPK formulation, but it also acts as a stabilizer for the formulation. Potassium Nitrate contains 13% Nitrogen and 38% Potassium whereas Phosphorous Acid crystals contain 37% Phosphorous and both are water soluble.
When Urea is dissolved in water and Phosphoric acid is mixed or any other ingredients like potassium Nitrate are added the solution does not remain stable. If it is packed in bottles, in a few days the bottles bulge and the product does not have storage stability. However with the addition of Dibasic Potassium Phosphate the solution remains stable and had an extended storage stability.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is to dissolve Urea and dibasic potassium phosphate powder in water and add Seaweed extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids and glutaraldehyde to this mixture. The amount added is that sufficient to give the desired N-P-K ratio and may be determined on a molecular weight basis as mentioned above. Additionally Potassium Nitrate and Phosphorous Acid can be dissolved in this solution to adjust the concentration and ratio of N-P-K.
The resultant complete fertilizer with different N-P-K ratios can be prepared and this concentrate can be diluted in 200 Litres of water and applied to 1 Acre of Vegetables and Fruit Crops. The composition may be stored in bottles for a period of more than a year and can be diluted and used as required. The solution will not clog the spraying system or irrigation system as there are no suspended solids in solution and since precipitates are not formed with the stabilized liquid fertilizer compositions of the present invention.
The following is an example of the preparation of a liquid fertilizer having these advantageous features.
EXAMPLE 1
A stable, water soluble Fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 6:6:14 was prepared by weighing 135 grams Urea and dissolving it in 700 ml of water. 336 grams of dibasic potassium phosphate powder was dissolved in this solution by stirring the solution. This was followed by the addition of 150 ml of (Sea Pro) Concentrated Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids Liquid and 1 ml of Glutaraldehyde also with stirring to make the solution 1 Litre.
A stable, water soluble N-P-K liquid fertilizer prepared in this manner was bottled and allowed to set on the laboratory shelf for over 12 months without any sign of gelling, precipitation or bulging of the bottle. In addition, other liquid fertilizers with different N-P-K ratios have been prepared in a similar manner.
EXAMPLE 2
A stable, water soluble Fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 6:6:6 was prepared by weighing 135 grams Urea and dissolving it in 750 ml of water. 95 grams of Phosphorous acid crystal was dissolved in this solution while stirring followed by 151 grams of dibasic potassium phosphate powder was dissolved in this solution by stirring the solution. This was followed by the addition of 100 ml of (Sea Pro) Concentrated Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids Liquid and 1 ml of Glutaraldehyde also with stirring to make the solution 1 Litre.

EXAMPLE 3
A stable, water soluble Fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 2:2:9 was prepared by weighing 17 grams Urea and dissolving it in 780 ml of water. 100 grams of Potassium Nitrate was dissolved in this solution while stirring followed by 125 grams of dibasic potassium phosphate powder was dissolved in this solution by stirring the solution. This was followed by the addition of 100 ml of (Sea Pro) Concentrated Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids Liquid and 1 ml of Glutaraldehyde also with stirring to make the solution 1 Litre.

While the compositions and methods described herein constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise compositions and methods, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.
Best Method: While formulating the concentrated solution various combinations can be prepared to obtain the desired N-P-K ratios as described in the examples. However it should be noted that if Urea is to be used in the formulation, it should be dissolved first followed by
Phosphorous acid crystal (if required), then Potassium Nitrate (if required) and then followed by dibasic potassium phosphate powder. (Sea Pro) Concentrated Seaweed Extract, Amino Acids and Humic Acids Liquid should be added once all the ingredients are dissolved lastly Glutaraldehyde should be added to the solution. If the sequence of ingredients is changed the solution may become unstable and reaction may occur in some combinations. It is also important to ascertain the rise in the level of solution after addition of the ingredients. As described in EXAMPLE 1 to prepare 1 Litre solution of N-P-K ratio of 6:6:14 only 700 ml of water was used as after dissolving the ingredients the level rises to 850 ml and later 150 ml of (Sea Pro) Concentrated Seaweed Extract Liquid, Amino Acids and Humic Acids and 1 ml of Glutaraldehyde is added with stirring to make the solution 1 Litre. Thus the sequence of addition of ingredients is important along with ascertaining the rise in level for every combination for various N-P-K combinations.

Reference:

Cited Patent Filing date Publication date Applicant Title
US3096168 20 May 1960 2 Jul 1963 Allied Chem Suspensions of ureaform in liquid mixed fertilizers
US3677736 8 June 1971 18 July 1972 Allied Chem Liquid fertilizer suspension containing ureaform
US4033745 3 June 1976 5 July 1977 Slo Release, Inc. Non-burning storable liquid fertilizer