Patent ID: 11840490

Abstract:
Disclosed herein are soil amendments, generally in the form of coated perlite compositions, as well as methods of making and using the same. The disclosed compositions, methods, and systems provide for various beneficial enhancements to plants growth and soil health, and may decrease costs, for example by avoiding the need for multiple treatments. The presently disclosed compositions, methods, and systems also aid in prolonging release of plant nutrition into the soil (including silica), enhancing aeration, water retention, and drainage, resisting soil compaction, providing for pest and insect control, etc. In many embodiments, the disclosed coated perlite composition is a sterile composition, that is lightweight, and has a low dust content, which may provide for efficient and low-cost handling and transport of products comprising same. The disclosed coated perlite compositions comprise perlite particles having a coating of a mixture of diatomaceous earth phosphorous and may also include one or more of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the coating.