ORGANICALLY BOUND MICRONUTRIENT COMPOSITION, METHODS FOR THE PREPARTION THEREOF
FIELD
The invention primarily relates to biological soil improvement products. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition useful for increasing agricultural productivity and a method for the preparation thereof.
BACKGROUND
Soil nutrients have to be replenished periodically to enrich the soil and to maintain the fertility status. But of late, nutrient deficiencies in soils and crops are on the increase. Not only are these being reported from more areas, the number of nutrients required for applications are also increasing. Over the years, agriculture has moved from an era of scattered single element deficiencies to more complex multiple nutrient deficiencies due to intensive cropping as well as cultivation of high yielding, fertilizer responsive varieties. This has also resulted in depleted soil health. Thus, balanced fertilizer use for adequate crop nutrition must now include the application and management of all these nutrients in a judicious manner so those nutrients which are deficient or not available to the crop are made available in adequate amounts.
One of the factors that influence crop production significantly is the soil composition. Soil containing better and more nutrients are capable of higher crop yield than soil without any such nutrients. Accordingly, various methods are employed to achieve greater yield like use of chemical and biological manure.
Currently, a lot of research is directed towards providing organic soil nutrients. There are number of organic fertilizers available in the market containing decomposed organic manures and biofertilizers. The amount of micronutrients present in these fertilizers is negligible and is not crop specific. ■
Sugarcane juice obtained during milling for sugar manufacture contains suspended and dissolved impurities. The suspended impurities include dispersed soil, bagasse, wax, fats,

proteins, pectins, tannins and coloring matter extracted from the cane during milling. Another by-product that is obtained during extraction of cane juice from sugar cane is pressmud. These impurities can be removed from the juice by adopting common methods such as carbonation and sulphitation. This process of removal of impurities from the cane, often known as 'clarification' renders the juice substantially pure and fit for extraction of sugar. The juice leaves a precipitate that settles at the bottom and is referred as pressmud.
For clarification of cane juice two types of processes are followed I) Sulphitation and 2) Carbonation. In sulphitation process, sulphur dioxide and lime are added to the cane juice. Pressmud settles down as a precipitate and the juice is separated for preparation of sugar. The pressmud obtained by this process is called Sulphitation pressmud (SPM). SPM contains about 1.0-3.1% Nitrogen, 0.6-3.6% Phosphorus, 0.3-1.8% Potassium, 880 ppm Iron, 153 ppm Zinc, 111 ppm Manganese and 45 ppm Copper. In Carbonation process, lime and carbondioxide are added to the cane juice and the pressmud obtained is called Carbonation pressmud (CPM). Carbonation pressmud (CPM) contains 0.6-09% Nitrogen, 0.5-2.5% Phosphorus, 0.4-1.6% Potassium, 2100 ppm Iron, 275 ppm Zinc, 2150 ppm Manganese and 250 ppm Copper. Both have acidic pH and high carbon-nitrogen ratio.
Pressmud thus obtained is a soft, spongy, amorphous and dark brown to brownish white material containing sugar, fibre, coagulated colloids including cane sugar, inorganic, salts and soil particles. Pressmud is readily available in all the sugar mills during the crushing season of 6-8 months of the year. Pressmud is not available commercially outside the sugar mills. Pressmud can be procured at economic price from sugar mill due to disposal problem.
By-products from sugar cane and other industries such as rice hulls, corn husks, coir pith etc often face a problem of disposal. Many of these stockpiles are unmanaged and also represent a source of surface water pollution. When such materials are properly processed, they can greatly benefit the environment. Baggase is commonly employed for manufacture of paper and is easily disposed off. However, pressmud, does not find wide applications and therefore faces disposal problems.

Research has shown that even this pressmud can be decomposed by cellulolytic and ligninolytic bacteria under certain suitable conditions to yield composted pressmud, which is obtained as a soft, spongy amorphous mass. One possible application of this composted pressmud is for the production of enriched manures as it adds to the nutrient value of the end-product.
The composition and properties of pressmud cake, however, vary depending upon the quality of cane crushed and the process followed for the clarification of cane juice in the sugar factory. As mentioned earlier, fresh pressmud has low pH and high carbon-nitrogen ratio, thereby rendering it unsuitable for use as a direct organic manure. Therefore, the methods that are adopted for composting of this fresh pressmud are critical and greatly influence its possible application as manure.
Thus, waste from sugar industries can be recycled and used to develop manures useful for soil nutrient enhancement. The decomposition products of the organic materials like phenol and organic acids bind the micronutrients thus preventing fixation into unavailable forms in the soil. The bound micronutrients are slowly released to the plants for uptake thereby increasing the efficiency of applied micronutrient.
PRIOR ART:
"Farmboom" is a product of E.I.D. Parry and contains Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Mg, S, Zn, Fe and microbial inoculants. The product is based on pressmud and is available in the form of pellets. It is expensive. The product has about 10-15% moisture which is inadequate to maintain microbial population in sufficient quantum throughout the shelf-life of the product.
"Celrich", based on municipal compost, contains microbes, Azospirillum, Azotobacter and Phosphobacteria. This product is recommended for cereals, wheat, orchard crops etc. The major disadvantage with this product is that the municipal waste needs to first be sanitized and decomposed for further utilization. Though the manufacturers claim that the product

may be used for all crops, the quantum of the material applied varies from 1.5 to 2 tons per acre, which is a very large addition to the soil. Further, the product is found to emit unacceptable odour, if it is not properly decomposed. The chemical and biological contents of E.I.D. Parry's "Farmboon" and Excell's "Celrich" were analysed. It was found that the product of the invention contains higher quantities of N, P & K and micronutrients like Zinc, Iron, Manganese and Copper. Besides, presence of Trichoderma viride, an antagonistic fungus, which is used as biofungicide to control soil borne diseases like root rot and wilt is unique to our product. In "Farmboon" and "Celrich", Trichoderma population is nil.

the quality of the soil and the capacity of the soil to provide higher yield of crops with the biological product employing waste from sugar industries.

OBJECTS
The main object of the invention is to provide a novel organically bound microbial soil nutrient enhancing composition useful in increasing the yield of crops like rice, maize, sunflower, tomato and cotton.
Another object of the invention is to provide a composition comprising pressmud obtained from sugar industries and beneficial microorganisms.
Yet another object is to provide methods for the preparation of the said organic nutrient composition.
Still another object is to provide methods for improving soil and enhancing plant growth.
SUMMARY
The above and other objectives are realized by the present invention, which provides a novel organically bound microbial soil enhancing nutrient composition which is useful for increasing agricultural productivity. The invention also provides methods for the preparation of the said composition and methods for improving soil quality and enhancing plant growth.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Accordingly, the invention provides novel organically bound microbial soil enhancing nutrient composition which is useful for increasing agricultural productivity. The invention also provides methods for the preparation of the said composition and methods for improving soil quality and enhancing plant growth.
The invention provides a novel soil enhancing nutrient composition comprising pressmud and an effective amount of microbial inoculants capable of nitrogen fixation, solubilizatiqn of native and decomposing soil phosphorus and controlling soil borne pathogens. Pressmud and the microbial inoculants constitute the major components, whereas the inorganic compounds added are micronutrients in the said composition. The major and

micronutrients have beneficial effect on the soil, and are available to the plants on a sustained manner.
Accordingly, the composition of the invention comprises :
Pressmud 80-95%
Rock phosphate 3-10%
Zinc sulphate 0.4-1.5%
Ferrous sulphate 0.2-1.0%
Manganese sulphate 0.8-0.25%
Copper sulphate 0.04-0.13%
Borax 0.04-0.3%
Azospirillum 0.5 to 2%
Phosphobacteria 0.5 to 2%
Trichoderma viride 0.1 to 0.5%
As all the nutrients are present in organically bound form, they become available to the
growing plants when the nutrient composition of the invention is added to the soil. As a
result, the nutrient use efficiency is increased and losses minimized. The composition of
the invention is recommended for all crops and preferably applied to the soil at the time of
sowing/transplantation.
The preferred composition of the invention comprises :-
Pressmud 90.5%
Rock phosphate 5.0
Zinc sulphate
Ferrous sulphate 0.6
Manganese sulphate 0.08
Copper sulphate 0.1
Borax 0.13
Azospirillum 1.0
Phosphobacteria 1.0
Trichoderma viride 0.12
In an embodiment, the nutrient composition comprises pressmud as the base compounded
by the activity of bacteria and fungi with inorganic and organic salts.
i
In another embodiment, a method for producing the soil nutrient enhancing composition, said method comprising the steps of:

(i) composting pressmud by treating it with rock phosphate and employing first microbial culture comprising cellulolytic and lignolytic microorganisms, at a temperature of about 40 to 60°C, for a period of about 45 days to obtain composted pressmud,
(ii) mixing composted pressmud with organic compounds and inorganic salts to obtain a fine mixture,
(iii) inoculation of second microbial culture comprising nitrogen fixing bacteria and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria;
(iv) incubating the mixture obtained in step (iii) at for a period of about 25 to 35 days under ambient conditions to obtain the soil nutrient enhancing composition.
In an embodiment, the first microbial culture contains bacteria selected from the group comprising Bacillus spp., Trichoderma spp. Aspergillus spp and Streptomyces spp.
In another embodiment, the amount of first microbial culture added to the pressmud is in the range of about 200 to 800 gms per ton.
In still another embodiment, the moisture content of the pressmud during decomposition is maintained at about 40 to 70%.
In yet another embodiment, the mixture comprising pressmud and the first microbial culture is turned after an interval about 20 days to ensure uniform decomposition.
In another embodiment, the pH of the composted pressmud is about 6.5 to 7.8.
In yet another embodiment, the temperature of the composted pressmud is about 28 to
33°C, while the temperature during composting is 40 to 60°C.
In an embodiment, the decomposition of the pressmud is effected for about 45 days.
In yet another embodiment, the organic compounds and inorganic salts added to the composition comprise Zinc sulphate 0.4-1.5%, ferrous sulphate 0.2-1.0%, Manganese sulphate 0.8-0.25%, Copper sulphate 0.04-0.13% and borax 0.04-0.3%.

In yet another embodiment, the second microbial culture comprises bacteria selected from the group comprising Azospirillum spp., Trichoderma viride and Bacillus megatherium var. phosvhaticum..
In another embodiment, the moisture content of the organic composition is about 25 to
35%.
It is pertinent to note that the ingredients of composition exhibit synergistic activity when pressmud or the microbial cultures are used individually, no soil nutrient enhancing property was observed. It is only a combination of the said ingredients in the ratio specified that yielded the synergistic effect and had soil nutrient enhancing property. Synergistic effects were observed between the pressmud and the microorganisms which is responsible for enhancing the productivity of the soil.
The above is a broad method for preparation of the soil enhancing composition. The specific method and the conditions responsible for producing an effective soil enhancing composition will be provided below. The invention is described in greater detail herein below with reference to the following examples which are provided to illustrate some of the embodiments of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. Various modifications that may be apparent to skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the scope of the invention.
The Applicants recommend the use of pressmud because pressmud is available in large quantities (about 2.5 to 4% of the cane crushed) and sugar mills face a disposal problem. Pressmud cannot be applied directly to the soil as it has acidic pH and very wide Carbon-Nitrogen ratio. Acidic pH inhibits microbial activity in the soil and reduce the availability of nutrients, especially micronutrients. The wide carbon nitrogen ratio will temporarily immobilize the soil nitrogen making it unavailable to the crop grown. Decomposition of pressmud enables neutralization of pH and narrows down the carbon nitrogen ratio. As large quantities of pressmud is available, it is possible to use the same for preparation of manures also. Of late, a number of sugar mills have commenced composting pressmud and marketing the same under various brand names. The normal composting period in such

processes is about 60 days or more. The applicants have now devised a novel method wherein the composting time is substantially reduced, to about 45 days and wherein the value of the compost is further enhanced by addition of nutrients as herein mentioned.
Composting of pressmud:
Pressmud is decomposed by adopting windrow method.
Pressmud is spread on the surface of the ground to any convenient length and a width. To this, rock phosphate in an amount of about 3-10% and biodegraders like cellulose and lignin degrading bacteria such as Bacillus spp. and Trichoderma spp. initially isolated from compost pits, are added in an amount of about 200 to 800 gm per ton and mixed uniformly. In practice, it is observed that any cellulose and lignin degrading bacteria can be used for decomposition of pressmud. Selection of bacteria for decomposition of pressmud depends on a host of issues such as the prevailing pH, temperature, location of the place and other conditions. After screening of several microorganisms, the Applicants have found that Bacillus sp. and Trichoderma sp. function as effective biodegraders of cellulose and lignin present in the fibers of plant products. Further, it is observed that Bacillus spp. function as cellulolytic bacteria and upon inoculation multiply in the waste by utilising the nutrients available therein. The bacteria break down complex cellulose molecules into simpler molecules and release enzymes like cellulase, which are subsequently used as sources of carbon for their survival. Trichoderma spp. release lignase which enables them to break down lignin compounds. Aspergillus spp. and Streptomyces spp. also function as efficient biodegraders.
The actual use of specific groups of organisms depends on variables such as (1) the presence or absence of adequate micro and macronutrients in the soil to support the propagation of the microorganisms; (2) the amount of organic material able to hold nutrients and microbes to create a suitable environment for microbial growth; and (3) the presence or absence of certain minerals required by the plant for proper uptake of the nutrients provided by the microbial activity.

After inoculation of the microorganisms, the heap is turned thoroughly for uniform mixing. Initial moisture content is approximately 40-70% and thereafter it is maintained at about 50 to 60%. Turning is given at an interval of about 7 days.
During composting of the nutrient composition, the temperature and the pH conditions play a very important role and it is critical to maintain the same for preparation of an effective nutrient composition. These conditions vary from the time of commencement until its end. In the beginning of the decomposition of the pressmud containing the microorganisms, ambient temperature and slightly acidic conditions are recommended. As the bacterial activity progresses, the temperature rises and the mass becomes increasingly acidic. The temperature continues to rise and the pH turns alkaline as ammonia is liberated during the breakdown of protein molecules. Following the temperature peak, the cooling down stage commences and the pH drops slightly but remains neutral to alkaline. Temperature at the beginning and at the end will be more or less in the range of 28 to 33°C. It is only during the phase of decomposition of the pressmud that the temperature fluctuates. The pH of pressmud at the end of composting is in the range of 6.5 to 7.8.
The compost matures within 45 days and this composted pressmud is used as organic base for preparing the organic nutrient composition of the invention. The content of the composition of the invention is set out hereinbelow in table 1.


The pressmud obtained by the above method is mixed with micronutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, zinc, copper, magnesium and borax. Major nutrient (phosphorus) is also added. The said ingredients are mixed mechanically. The particle size of the ingredients is about 500-1000(1. At this moment, the bacteria added to the mixture comprise nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Azospirillum spp, and phosphorus stabilizing bacteria such as Bacillus megatherium var phosphaticum.
The nitrogen fixing bacteria in the composition is Azospirillum brasilense which is a micro-aerophilic bacterium that enters into associative symbiosis and lives inside the cortical and xylem vessels of plant roots. Besides its ability to fix elemental nitrogen, Azospirillum also secretes growth promoting substances like gibberellic acid and IAA (Indole Acetic Acid) which enhances root proliferation and growth of plants. They fix 25-40 kg N/ha/year. The phosphobacteria used is Bacillus megatherium var phosphaticum. Soluble form of phosphorus, when applied to soil as phosphatic fertilizers, is rendered insoluble due to fixation. In this context, the release of insoluble phosphorus form fixed in the soil, aided by microorganisms, assumes significance. Phosphobacteria, particularly those belonging to the family Bacillaceae and Pseudomonaceae, possess the ability to solubilise insoluble inorganic phosphorus and make it available to plants by the secretion of organic acids. In addition, biofungicidal agent such as Trichoderma viride are also added to the nutrient composition. Soil-borne pathogens like Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Sclerotia cause damping off, root rot, seedlings rot and wilt in field and vegetable crops. Most of these pathogens may affect the crop at any stage of their growth and cause complete mortality of plants. Trichoderma viride, an effective biofungicidal agent, has the ability to grow fast, colonise and suppress the growth of these pathogens. They also produce antifungal metabolites as a control mechanism in addition to their general tolerance to fungicides. The micronutrients bind on the organic base and are slowly released and made available to the plants.
The nutrient composition now containing composted pressmud, salts and microorgas is mixed and packed in bags and incubated under ambient conditions for about 25 to 35 days. The best results are observed when incubation is effected for about 27 to 33 days. The

moisture content of the mixture during incubation is about 25 to 35%, preferably, around 30%.
After incubation, the composition obtained can be applied as such to the soil. The composition has a shelf life of about 150-180 days. Beneficial effects of the nutrient composition are observed within about 150 to 180 days of preparation. Thereafter, the nutrient content and microbial count get reduced. The research work led to the findings that by manipulating the micronutrient composition economic yield can be increased in major crops like rice, maize, sunflower, tomato and cotton.
The method described above, is an example of the methods that may be employed to produce the nutrient composition. Other conventional methods known in the art may also be employed. The microorganisms used in the nutrient composition were tested for mutual antagonism and no antagonistic activities were detected between them.
The nutrient composition employs bacteria that do not compete with the other microorganisms in the soil or on the roots of the plants; in fact, they help in degrading cellulosic materials and fixation of nitrogen in the soil. Further, the microorganisms increase the availability of minerals for plant uptake.
Continuous application of the nutrient composition to the soil may increase soil fertility level in the long run. Instant results cannot be obtained as the quantity recommended to one hectare of land is very small (100 kg/ha).



For direct sown crops, the nutrient composition is applied by mixing with farm yard manure (1:5) along the sides of the ridges within 7-10 days after sowing. This should be followed by irrigation. For transplanted crops, the nutrient composition is applied at the time of transplanting. The nutrient composition is applied to crops only once in season, preceding sowing or following transplanting. For organic matter addition, the quantity recommended to one hectare .of land is very small (100 kg/ha). Continuous application of the nutrient composition to the soil may increase organic matter content in the long run.
EXAMPLE 1
Composting of pressmud
Pressmud was decomposed by adopting windrow method. A heap was formed with five tonnes of pressmud which was spread on the ground to a length of 8ft and a width of 4ft. To this, 5% rock phosphate, formulated Bacillus coagulans and Trichoderma reesi inoculants each @ 500g/tonne material were added and the heap was thoroughly turned. Water was sprinkled on the heap depending on the moisture content Turning was given 7 days after the start period. The maturity of pressmud compost was judged by analysing the C: N ratio, pH and indirectly by the absence of fowl odour from the heap. The compost was ready within 30 days. At the end of composting the weight of compost was 2.5 tonnes (ie„ 50 per cent reduction in volume)
Preparation of cellulolytic and lignolytic cultures
Bacillus coagulans of 24hr old culture grown in nutrient agar was cultured in 250ml nutrient broth on a rotary shaker (120 rpm) at 30°C for 36hrs. The bacterial suspensions were mixed individually with 600g of sterilized and neutralised lignite. Counts for bacteria in the carrier inoculant revealed lxl09 cells g"1 of lignite after 48 hrs curing at

30°C. Similarly Trichoderma reesi was multiplied in 150 ml molasses yeast medium and formulated along with conidia, chlamydospores and mycelial fragments in a pre-sterilized talc powder.
FORMULATION OF MICRONUTRIENT COMPOSITION
One tonne of composted pressmud containing 30% moisture was sieved in a grader containing mesh size of 2000-3000/1. To this, powdered micronutrients containing zinc sulphatel.5%, ferrous sulphate 0.5% maganese sulphate 0.25%, copper sulphate 0.13 %, borax 0.07 % and rock phosphate 5% were added and mixed in a mechanical mixer for 10 minutes. Later a mixture containing microbial cultures viz., Azospirillum brazilense, Bacillus megatherium vox phosphaticum and Trichoderma viride @ 10, 10 and 1.25 kg per tonne respectively were added to the original composition and mixed for ten minutes. The formulated composition was packed in HDPE polybags and incubated for 30 days.
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of organically bound micronutrient mixture of the invention:
Preparation of microbial inoculants
Azospirillum was cultured in 300ml of NFb broth on a rotary shaker (150 rpm) at 32°C for
48hrs. The bacterial suspensions were mixed individually with 600g of sterilized and
neutralised lignite. Counts for bacteria in the carrier inoculant revealed 4.5x10 cells g" of
lignite after 48 hrs curing at 32°C.
Bacillus megatherium var phosphaticum (Phosphobacteria) was cultured in 300ml of
dobereiner's broth on a rotary shaker (150 rpm) at 32°C for 30hrs. The bacterial
suspensions were mixed individually with 600g of sterilized and neutralised lignite.
Counts for bacteria in the carrier inoculant contained 8.7xl08 cells g"1 of lignite after 72
hrs curing at 32°C .
Trichoderma viride was multiplied in 60 ml molasses yeast medium and formulated along
with containing conidia, chlamydospores and mycelial fragments in a pre-sterilized
aluminium silicate powder.

STORAGE PERIOD
Organically bound micronutrient composition weighing 40 kg was packed in 10 HDPE bags and sealed. Five samples were drawn randomly at 30 days interval and analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, iron, boron and copper by following the standard procedures (Tandon, 1993). Microbial population viz., Azospirilllwn, phosphobacteria and Trichoderma were also counted at 30 days interval as per the standard procedures for up to 180 days. Field experiment in Rice :
A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 1998 at Nagrjuna Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Warangal, Medak District (AP) under irrigated conditions. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam with slightly acidic reaction (pH 6.0), medium in both organic carbon (0.53), and in available nitrogen (286 kg/ha), low in available phosphorus (9.2 P2O5) kg/ha), and medium in available potassium (209 K20 kg/ha). The experiment comprised of six treatments: T1 Basal soil application of zinc sulphate hepta hydrate (ZnS04. 7H2O) at 25kg/ha, T2 - soil application of organically bound micronutrient mixture(OBMN- Mahashakti) at 100 kg/ha , T3 - Foilar spray of zinc sulphate mono hydrate (ZnS04.H20) @ 0.1% at 25 and 35 DAP, T4 - Foilar spray of zinc sulphate hepta hydrate (ZnS04.7H20) @ 0.1% at 25 and 35 DAP, T5 - soil application of EDTA chelated micronutrient mixture at 500 g/ha, Te - NPK alone. These treatments were tested in a randomised block design with four replications. ZnS04 .H20 contains 33% zinc and ZnS04.7H20 contains 12% zinc
The nursery sowings were done in the 2nd week of June and twenty-one days old seedlings were transplanted at the spacing of 20x10 cm, using two seedlings per hill. The recommended fertilisers 120 kgN, 60 kg P2Os and 60 kg K20 /ha were applied in the farm of urea, single super phosphate and muriate of potash as per treatments. Urea and MOP were applied in three equal split doses, half just before transplanting and 25% each at early tillering and panicle initiation stages. The entire quantity of single super phosphate was applied at single dose at the time of transplanting. Foliar application of zinc sulphate was

done as per the treatment schedule at 25 DAP and 35 DAP. The organically bound micronutrient mixture (named Mahashakti) was applied at 100 kg/ha by mixing with required quantity of FYM and applied at the time of last puddling. Observations on plant height, tiller number, panicle number and yield were recorded.
Pot experiment:
A green house experiment was conducted during kharif, 1998 at Nagarjuna Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Wargal, Medak district (AP) using red and black soils as the medium.
The nursery sowings were done in the 2nd week of June and twenty-one days old seedlings were transplanted at the rate of four hills per pot using two seedlings per hill. The recommended fertilisers 120 kg N, 60 kg P205 and 60 kg K20 /ha were applied in the farm of urea, single super phosphate and muriate of potash as per the treatments by using the formula,
Amount of fertiliser required (kg)= weight of soil in pot x recommended fertiliser/ 2.24x106
Fifty per cent of the required urea and MOP were applied just before transplanting and 25% each at early tillering and panicle initiation stages. The entire quantity of single super phosphate was applied as a single dose at the time of planting. Foliar application of zinc sulphate and Correct ( a commercial micronutrient mixture) was done as per the treatment schedule at 25 DAP and 35 DAP. The organically bound micro-nutrient mixture and other commercial micronutrient mixtures were applied by calculating the amount required at the time filling of pot with soil. Observations on plant height, tiller number, panicle number and yield were recorded.
The composted pressmud containing 30% moisture was sieved in a grader containing mesh size of 2000-3000μ. To this, micronutrients (Zinc sulphate 1.5%, Ferrous sulphate 0.5%, Manganese sulphate 0.25%, Copper sulphate 0.13%, Borax 0.07%) were added and mixed in a mechanical mixer for 10 minutes. To this mixture, microbial cultures, viz., Azospirillum brazilense, Bacillus megatherium var phosphaticum and Trichoderma viride

are added @10, 10 and 1.25 kg per tone respectively. The mixed material was packed in HDPE (high density polyethylene) polybags and incubated for 30 days.
EXAMPLE 3
Storage period
Experiment was conducted to ascertain the availability of nutrients as well the status of microbial population added to the material for 180 days. In general, all the agri-inputs were first transported to distributor shops and then to retailer and finally to the end users -farmers. The time taken by the product to reach the ultimate end users differs from place to place. Hence, the rationale for the study was to assess the quality of nutrient composition over a period of time. The study revealed that the product could be stored up to 150 days without loss of quality to obtain maximum benefits.
EXAMPLE 4
Response of nutrient composition in different crops
Experiments were conducted at the Nagarjuna Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Warangal, Medak district, Andhra Pradesh, for two seasons in major crops. OBMN was applied @100kg/ha through soil immediately after sowing/transplanting depending on the crop. To convince the farmers, multi-location trials were laid out in cotton and chilli in 35 farmers' fields in Warangal and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh. The results of the studies are furnished in Table 2.



Field trials were conducted in different crops by comparing "Farmboon" and "Celrich" with the product (OBMN) of the invention. There was an overall percentage increase due to OBMN application when compared with "Farmboon" and "Celrich" over recommended fertilizer (farmers' practice).

WE CLAIM:
1. Novel organic composition useful in enhancing the nutrient content of the soil, said
composition comprising:
Pressmud 80-95%
Rock phosphate 3-10%
Zinc sulphate 0.4-1.5%
Ferrous sulphate 0.2-1.0%
Manganese sulphate 0.08-0.25%
Copper sulphate 0.04-0.13%
Borax 0.04-0.3%
Azospirillum 0.5 to 2%
Phosphobacteria 0.5 to 2%
Trichoderma viride 0.1 to 0.5%
2. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the composition preferably
comprises:-
Pressmud 90.5%
Rock phosphate 5.0%
Zinc sulphate 1.5%
Ferrous sulphate 0.6%
Manganese sulphate 0.08%
Copper sulphate 0.1%
Borax 0.13%
Azospirillum 1.0%
Phosphobacteria 1.0%
Trichoderma viride 0.12%
3. A process for producing the organic composition, comprising the steps of:
(i) composting pressmud by treating it with rock phosphate and employing first microbial culture comprising cellulolytic and lignolytic microorganisms, at a temperature of about 28 to 33°C, for a period of about 45 days to obtain composted pressmud;
(ii) mixing composted pressmud with organic compoiunds and inorganic salts to obtain a fine mixture;
(iii) inoculation of second microbial culture comprising nitrogen fixing bacteria and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria; and

(iv) incubating the mixture obtained in step (iii) at for a period of about 25 to 35 days under ambient conditions to obtain the soil nutrient enhancing composition.
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first microbial culture contains bacteria selected from the group comprising Bacillus, Trichoderma viridae, Aspergillus spp and Streptomyces spp.
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the amount of first microbial culture added to the pressmud is in the range of about 200 to 800 gms per ton.
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the moisture content of the pressmud during decomposition is maintained at about 40 to 70%.
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the mixture comprising pressmud and the first microbial culture is turned after an interval about 20 to ensure uniform decomposition.
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pH of the composted pressmud is about 6.5 to 7.8.
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the temperature of the composted pressmud is about 28 to 33°C.
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the decomposition of the pressmud is effected for about 45 days.
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the organic compounds and inorganic salts added to the composition comprise Zinc sulphate 0.4-1.5%, ferrous sulphate 0.2-1.0%, Manganese sulphate 0.8-0.25%, Copper sulphate 0.04-0.13% and borax 0.04-0.3%.

12. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the second miccrobial culture comprises
bacteria selected from the group comprising Azospirillum spp., Trichoderma
viridae and Bacillus megatherium var phosphaticum
13. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the moisture content of the organic
composition is about 25 to 35%,
14. An organic composition substantially as hereindescribed with reference to the
examples.
15. A process for producing the organic composition substantially as hereindescribed
with reference to the examples.

To
The Controller of Patents
The Patent Office at Chennai