Title of Invention	ZN FERTILIZER FORMULATION AND A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME
Abstract	A Zn fertilizer formulation comprising: 4 - 5% zinc (Zn) 0.1 - 0.4% of nitrogen (N) 1.46 -1.66% phosphorus pentaoxide (P2O5) 0.53 - 0.73% of potassium oxide (K2O) 16.8 - 18.4% total carbon (C) and other inorganic & organic constituents.

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FORM -2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 OF 1970) & The Patents Rules, 2003 PROVISIONAL/COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10 and rule 13) 1. Title of the Invention : ZN FERTILIZER FORMULATION AND A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME 2. Applicant(s) Name, Nationality & Address : SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC, ENERGY O.Y.C. Building, C.S.M. Marg, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, India 3. Preamble to the description -PROVISIONAL : The following specification describes-theJnventiona. COMPLETE : The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which is to be performed. -1- FIELD OF THE INVENTION: This invention relates to Zn fertilizer formulation and a process for producing the same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: Zinc sulphate heptahydrate («20 to 22% Zn) is the most common fertilizer source used to supply Zn to agricultural crops. Fertilizer use efficiency of Zn from this fertilizer is much lower in most soils. Conjoint use of zinc sulphate and bulky organic manures in quantities to the tune of 5 to 10 t organic manure /ha are helpful to increase yields and Zn uptake by crops. The utilization efficiency of fertilizer Zn from zinc sulphate heptahydrate is poor in soils of high Zn fixing capacity due to locking of a large fraction of applied fertilizer Zn in the soil. In such soils, management practices like application of a large amount of organic manures (5 to 10 t/ha) or band application of fertilizer Zn is recommended to economise expenditure of Zn fertifeers. The availability of organic manures in large quantity (5 to 10 t/ha) is always a problem for the farmers, especially small and marginal farmers who are often not maintaining sufficient cattle heads to meet their requirement of organic manures in every crop season and transportation of bulky organic manure to the field is always cost intensive. -2- OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION: An object of this invention is to propose a Zn fertilizer formulation, which is very efficient when applied to the soil; Another object of this invention is to propose a process for producing an efficient Zn fertilizer; Further object of this invention is to propose a Zn fertilizer, which has a higher uptake and consequently improves the yield of the crops; Still further object of this invention is to propose a Zn fertilizer formulation, which ensures better availability of residual fertilizer Zn to the next crop as well. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: According to this invention there is provided a Zn fertilizer formulation comprising: 4-5% of Zinc; 0.1 to 0.4% of Nitrogen 1.46 to 1.66% of Phosphorus pentaoxide (P205) 0.53 to 0.73% of Potassium oxide (K20) 16.8 to 18.4% total C and other inorganic and organic constituents -3- In accordance with this invention there is also provided a process for producing the Zn fertilizer formulation comprising the steps of: subjecting the semisolid biosludge to 2450 MHz microwave treatment for 10min.; mixing biosludge (having 65-70% moisture content) and zinc compound in the weight wise ratio of (97-100): (14-18), respectively, incubating the mixture for 7 to 10 days, drying and pulverizing The biosludge from biogas generation unit of molasses based distilleries is a potential source of soluble organic matter. Photometric determination of organic C in freeze dried samples revealed that Biosludge of molasses based distillery is having many folds higher content of water soluble organic C (0.99 to 2.67%) than Farmyard manure (0.20 to 0.33%) or Biogas slurry (0.38 to 0.44%) or Pressmud compost (0.19 to 0.33%). Using biosludge of molasses based distilleries, which had =21 to 23% total C and 0.02 - 0.03% Zn, a high efficiency modified zinc fertilizer containing 4-5% Zn was formulated for use in soils. The modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) has only 1.39% of total Zn in water-soluble form and 98.38% of total Zn in citrate soluble form as against conventional zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22% Zn) which has all Zn in water soluble form. Ion speciation in water extracts of Zn fertilizers showed that the modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) maintained most of the water soluble Zn (85.78%) in complexed/chelated form associated with soluble organic C leaving only 11.58% of water soluble Zn to exist as free Zn+2 ions. On the other hand, conventional zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22%Zn) maintained most of the water soluble Zn (67.99%) as free Zn+2 ions. Since the modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) has most -4- Zn in citrate soluble form and the water soluble Zn fraction exists mainly as complexed/chelated form associated with soluble organic C, Zinc applied through modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) is less likely to be subjected to fixation in soil and transformation into unavailable form as compared to conventional zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22% Zn). The present invention consisting of a process for "Improvement of zinc sulphate heptahydrate for soil application using bio-sludge of molasses based distilleries" which comprises: (i) Biosludge from biogas generation unit of molasses based distillery (21-23% total C and 0.02-0.03% Zn) which has been subjected to 2450 MHz microwave treatment for 10min.; (ii) Zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22% Zn) mixed, incubated, dried and pulverized to produce a fertilizer containing:4-5% Zn, 0.1 to 0.4% N, 1.46 to 1.66% P205, 0.53 to 0.73% of Potassium oxide (K20) and 16.8 to 18.4% total C The process is shown in details in the flow chart given in accompanying figure 1. A large fraction of fertilizer Zn applied through conventional fertilizer like zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22% Zn) is fixed in most soils as residual Zn and it is also transformed into more insoluble compounds in due course of time reducing it's availability in the soil. To get the desired response of fertilizer Zn in growing crop either higher rates of Zn fertilizer are used or bulky organic manures (5 to 10 t/ha) are applied in conjunction. -5- New modified Zn fertilizer product uses organic matter of relatively higher water solubility to compete with sites fixing fertilizer Zn in soil and allows better utilization of native soil Zn as well by producing organic acids during its decomposition. At just half application rate in terms of absolute Zn level (2.5 kg Zn/ha), the new modified Zn fertilizer product (4-5% Zn) resulted statistically similar or even higher yields than conventional Zn fertilizer (Zinc sulphate hepta-hydrate, 22% Zn) applied at the rate of 5 kg Zn/ha. Suppose, if the soil test based fertilizer recommendation rate for a soil is 5 kg Zn/ha the farmer has to apply 22.73 kg zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22%Zn). An equivalent or higher yields can be obtained with application rate of only 2.5 kg Zn/ha through modified Zn fertilizer (4-5%) applied @56.82 kg/ha. Laboratory incubation studies (30 d) done with 65Zn labelled fertilizer sources to examine the transformation of added fertilizer Zn revealed that only 37.05% of fertilizer Zn applied through modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) was transformed into residual (unavailable) fraction while in the case of conventional zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22%Zn) relatively higher fraction (47.59%) of fertilizer Zn existed as residual fraction. Desorption kinetics of fertilizer Zn applied to soil columns were also examined for both modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) and conventional zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22%Zn). Desorption of fertilizer Zn followed an initial rapid and a latter slower phases. The calculated values of desorption rate coefficients for both phases were statistically similar for both modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) and conventional zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22%Zn). -6- In greenhouse studies, the modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) when used @ 2.5 kg Zn/ha was found to give the dry matter yield of rice at par with the yield obtained with use of conventional Zn fertilizer; zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22%Zn) applied @ 5 kg Zn/ha. Short term (30 d) green house experiments with 65Zn tagged fertilizer sources revealed that at 5 kg Zn/ha dose the per cent utilization of applied fertilizer Zn from modified Zn fertilizer (4-5%Zn) was increased significantly by 1.8 times in rice and by 1.6 times in subsequent wheat crop over the conventional zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22% Zn) source. With the application of 2.5 kg Zn/ha through modified Zn fertilizer source (4-5% Zn), the per cent utilization of fertilizer Zn was increased significantly by 2.7 times in rice and by 1.9 times in subsequent wheat crop over conventional zinc sulphate heptahydrate fertilizer (22%Zn) applied @ 5 kg Zn/ha. In field experiment, application of 5 kg Zn/ha through zinc sulphate heptahydrate (conventional Zn fertilizer containing 22%Zn) increased grain yield of rice significantly by 15.2% over control. Grain yield of subsequent wheat crop was not significantly increased by application of 5 kg Zn /ha through zinc sulphate heptahydrate (conventional Zn fertilizer containing 22% Zn) to rice crop. Application of 2.5 kg and 5 kg Zn/ha through modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) to rice crop increased grain yields of rice by 18.4 and 20.0 per cent over control, respectively. In plots which received 2.5 kg and 5 kg Zn/ha through modified Zn fertilizer (4-5% Zn) in rice season, the grain yields of subsequent wheat crop were higher by 7.1 and 7.8% over control, respectively. -7- The new modified Zn fertilizer containing 4-5% Zn is more efficient than conventional Zn fertilizer (Zinc sulphate heptahydrate, 22% Zn). Keeping the Zn application rate same (5 kg Zn/ha), the modified Zn fertilizer produces higher yields and ensures better availability of residual fertilizer to the next crop as compared to the conventional zinc sulphate hepta hydrate (22%Zn). EXAMPLE: (i) The biosludge from biogas generation unit of molasses based distillery is filtered out from time to time. The initial material is in liquid/semisolid state. In order to further enhance the content of water soluble organic C by 8 to 11% over initial soluble organic C content, the liquid/semisolid sludge should be subjected to 2450 MHz microwave treatment for 10min.. The material may be further dried directly in open or under vacuum to rapidly reduce the moisture content to 70%. (ii) When the moisture content is reduced to 70%, powdered zinc sulphate heptahydrate (22%Zn) is added @ 14.70 kg with 100 kg of semidried biosludge (70% moisture content basis) and mixed in a blender. -8- The mixture is incubated for 7 d at room temperature (27° to 35°C) and then finally dried either in open or under vacuum. The final product (73.51 kg) is ground in a mill and bagged in polybags of 50/25 kg capacity. -9-CLAIM: 1. A Zn fertilizer formulation comprising: 4 - 5% zinc (Zn) 0.1 - 0.4% of nitrogen (N) 1.46 -1.66% phosphorus pentaoxide (P2O5) 0.53 - 0.73% of potassium oxide (K20) 16.8 - 18.4% total carbon (C) and other inorganic & organic constituents 2. The Zn fertilizer formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water soluble Zn is 1.3-1.5% of total Zn and citrate soluble Zn is 98-99% of total Zn. 3. The Zn fertilizer formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water soluble organic C is 1.0 -2.8% 4. A process of producing Zn fertilizer formulation as claimed in claim 1 comprising the steps of: subjecting the semisolid biosludge to 2450 MHz microwave treatment for 10 min.; mixing biosludge (having 65-70% moisture content) and zinc compound in the weight wise ratio of (97-100): (14-18), respectively, incubating the mixture for 7 to 10 days, drying and pulverizing -10- The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said Zinc compound is Zinc sulphate monohydrate. The process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said biosludge is obtained from biogas generation unit of molasses based distillery. The process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the biosludge collected from molasses based distillery is treated with 2450 MHz microwaves for 10 min. to increase the water soluble organic C by 8-11% over the initial water soluble organic C (0.99 to 2.67%). The process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature is between 27 to 35°C for incubation. The process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of drying is preferred in open or under vacuum A Zn fertilizer formulation and a process thereof substantially as herein described in the specifications. ABSTRACT Title: Zn fertilizer formulation and a process for producing the same. A Zn fertilizer formulation comprising: 4 - 5% zinc (Zn) 0.1 - 0.4% of nitrogen (N) 1.46 -1.66% phosphorus pentaoxide (P2O5) 0.53 - 0.73% of potassium oxide (K20) 16.8 - 18.4% total carbon (C) and other inorganic & organic constituents Fig. 1

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757-MUM-2007-ABSTRACT(17-6-2009).pdf

757-MUM-2007-ABSTRACT(5-2-2009).pdf

757-mum-2007-abstract(granted)-(12-4-2010).pdf

757-mum-2007-abstract.doc

757-mum-2007-abstract.pdf

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757-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(5-2-2009).pdf

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757-mum-2007-claims.doc

757-mum-2007-claims.pdf

757-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(17-6-2009).pdf

757-mum-2007-correspondence(21-9-2007).pdf

757-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(3-10-2008).pdf

757-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(5-2-2009).pdf

757-mum-2007-correspondence(ipo)-(12-4-2010).pdf

757-mum-2007-correspondence-received.pdf

757-mum-2007-description (complete).pdf

757-MUM-2007-DESCRIPTION(COMPLETE)-(17-6-2009).pdf

757-MUM-2007-DESCRIPTION(COMPLETE)-(5-2-2009).pdf

757-mum-2007-description(granted)-(12-4-2010).pdf

757-MUM-2007-DRAWING(17-6-2009).pdf

757-MUM-2007-DRAWING(5-2-2009).pdf

757-mum-2007-drawing(granted)-(12-4-2010).pdf

757-MUM-2007-FORM 1(17-6-2009).pdf

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757-mum-2007-form 2(granted)-(12-4-2010).pdf

757-MUM-2007-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(17-6-2009).pdf

757-MUM-2007-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(5-2-2009).pdf

757-mum-2007-form 2(title page)-(granted)-(12-4-2010).pdf

757-MUM-2007-FORM 26(3-10-2008).pdf

757-MUM-2007-FORM 3(5-2-2009).pdf

757-mum-2007-form 9(3-9-2007).pdf

757-mum-2007-form-1.pdf

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