Method to enhance plant growth with a biological fertilizer composition comprising poultry manure and electromagnetic field treated yeasts (09-Sep-2008)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/625,056, filed Jul. 22, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,444 which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/796,818, filed Mar. 1, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,272, issued on Jul. 22, 2003, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to biological fertilizers that comprise yeasts and an organic substrate. The yeasts in the compositions of the invention have been stimulated to perform a variety of functions including the conversion of the organic materials into non-hazardous plant nutrients. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing biological fertilizers, and methods for using the biological fertilizers to increase crop yields.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Use of fertilizer is essential in supporting the growth of high yield crops. Of the basic nutrients that plants need for healthy growth, large amounts of nitrogen (taken up as NO₃⁻ or NH₄⁺), phosphorus (taken up as H₂PO₄⁻), and potassium (taken up as K⁺) nutrients are required by most crops on most soils (Wichmann, W., et al., IFA World Fertilizer Use Manual). Such large amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients are supplied mainly in the form of mineral fertilizers, either processed natural minerals or manufactured chemicals (K. F. Isherwood, 1998, Mineral Fertilizer Use and the Environment, United Nations Environmental Programme Technical Report No. 26).

Despite the importance of mineral fertilizers in providing mankind with abundant agricultural products, the harm done to the environment has been recognized in recent years. Mineral fertilizers may incurred damages to soils. For example, most nitrogen fertilizers may acidify soils, thereby adversely affecting the growth of plants and other soil organisms. Extensive use of chemical nitrogen fertilizers may also inhibit the activity of natural nitrogen fixing microorganisms, thereby decreasing the natural fertility of soils. The long term use of mineral fertilizers may also cause severe environmental pollution. For example, the loss of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers due to leaching and soil erosion has led to contamination of soil and ground water, and eutrophication of surface water. Cleaning up polluted soil and water has been a complicated and difficult task. The cost for such a task is also astronomical.

In search for a solution to the problem, some are going back to organic fertilizers, such as manure (Wichmann, W., et al., IFA World Fertilizer Use Manual). The use of manure as fertilizer dates to the beginnings of agriculture. Large amounts of manure are produced by livestock. For example, in the United States, farms (including confined animal feeding operations) generate more than 136 million metric tons (dry weight basis) of waste products annually. Manure has value in maintaining and improving soil because of the plant nutrients, humus, and organic substances contained in it. Studies have shown that a high percentage of the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fed to dairy cattle are excreted in manure.

As manure must be managed carefully in order to derive the most benefit from it, some farmers may be unwilling to expend the necessary time and effort. Manure must be carefully stored to minimize loss of nutrients. It must be applied to the right kind of crop at the proper time. In general, manure does not provide all the plant nutrients needed and very large amount of organic fertilizers have to be applied to soil. Thus, there is a tendency to discount the value of manure as fertilizer. Manure may also contain undesirable chemicals, such as antibiotics and hormones. Only in underdeveloped countries, where artificial fertilizer may be costly or unavailable and where labor is relatively cheap, manure is attractive as a fertilizer.

Furthermore, manure may contain significant levels of nitrogen and phosphorous which threaten water resources if not managed correctly. If not stored or disposed of properly, it can pose health and environmental threats. For example, it can cause air pollution, i.e., odor and dust; and contamination of surface and ground water with excess nutrients, organic matter, salts, and pathogens. For example, manure contains pathogenic microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Campylobacter jejuni.

Biological fertilizers utilizing microorganisms have been proposed as alternatives to mineral fertilizers. Naturally occurring nitrogen fixing microorganisms including bacteria, such as Rhizobium, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum, (See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,462) and fungi, such as Aspergillus flavus-oryzae, (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,037) have been utilized in biological fertilizers. Naturally occurring microorganisms capable of solubilizing phosphate rock ore or other insoluble phosphates into soluble phosphates have also been utilized in biological fertilizers either separately (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,398) or in combination with nitrogen fixing microorganisms (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,464). Genetically modified bacterial strains have also been developed and utilized in biological fertilizers. An approach based on recombinant DNA techniques has been developed to create more effective nitrogen fixing, phosphorus decomposing, and potassium decomposing bacterial strains for use in a biological fertilizer, see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,486; PCT publication WO 95/09814; Chinese patent publication: CN 1081662A; CN 1082016A; CN 1082017A; CN 1103060A; and CN 1109595A.

However, the biological fertilizers that are based on naturally occurring microorganisms are generally not efficient enough to effectively replace mineral fertilizers. It is therefore important to develop more advanced biological fertilizers that can replace mineral fertilizers in supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to crops for producing high quality agricultural products while avoiding the problems associated with mineral fertilizers.

The present invention provides a biological fertilizer based on non-recombinant yeasts, which can replace mineral fertilizers and provide an effective and environmentally-friendly method of using certain organic materials.

Citation of documents herein is not intended as an admission that any of the documents cited herein is pertinent prior art, or an admission that the cited documents are considered material to the patentability of the claims of the present application. All statements as to the date or representations as to the contents of these documents are based on the information available to the applicant and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to biological fertilizer compositions. The biological fertilizer compositions of the invention comprises up to nine different yeast cell components, poultry manure, and optionally an inorganic substrate component. In particular, the yeast cell components of the composition are each capable of at least one of the following ten functions, namely, fixing atmospheric nitrogen, decomposing insoluble phosphorus or potassium minerals, maintaining a balance of phosphorus compounds in the microenvironment, decomposing complex carbon-containing materials or compounds, overproducing growth factors, overproducing ATP, suppression of growth of pathogenic microorganisms, breakdown of undesirable chemicals, and reducing the odor of organic matters, respectively. The yeast cell components of the invention can be used as an additive which is mixed with poultry manure to form a biological fertilizer.

In one embodiment, the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention are produced by mixing poultry manure with at least seven and up to nine yeast cell components, wherein the cells of six yeast cell components perform the basic functions of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, decomposing phosphorus-containing minerals or maintaining in its immediate surroundings a balance of phosphorus compounds, decomposing potassium-containing minerals, decomposing complex carbon-containing materials or compounds, overproducing growth factors, and overproducing ATP, and wherein the cells of the other component(s) perform the supplementary functions of suppressing growth of pathogenic microorganisms, decomposing undesirable chemicals, and reducing the odor of the organic substrate in the fertilizer composition.

In preferred embodiments, the present invention uses yeasts that are commercially available and/or accessible to the public, such as but not limited to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Generally, the yeast cell components of the invention are produced by culturing the pluralities of yeast cells under activation conditions such that the abilities of the pluralities of cells to perform the functions are activated or enhanced. Accordingly, in another embodiment, the invention encompasses methods of activating or enhancing the abilities of yeast cells to perform one of the ten functions. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing the fertilizer comprising mixing poultry manure with the yeast cells of the present invention, followed by drying and packing the final product.

The invention further relates to methods for using the fertilizer compositions of the present invention. The biological fertilizer compositions of the present invention are used to support and enhance the growth and maturation of a wide variety of plants.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 Activation of yeast cells. 1 yeast cell culture; 2 container; 3 electromagnetic field source.

FIG. 2. Formation of symbiosis-like relationships among strains of yeasts. 4 electromagnetic field source for nitrogen-fixing yeasts; 5 electromagnetic field source for P-decomposing yeasts; 6 electromagnetic field source for K-decomposing yeasts; 7 electromagnetic field source for C-decomposing yeasts; 8 yeast cell culture; 9 container.

FIG. 3. Adaptation of yeast cells to a soil type. 10 electrode; 11 container; 12 electrode; 13 yeast cell culture; 14 electromagnetic field source; 15 temperature controller.

FIG. 4. Organic substrate grinding process. 16 organic raw material; 17 crusher; 18 grinder; 19 organic substrate in powder form.

FIG. 5. Inorganic substrate grinding process. 20 inorganic raw material; 21 crusher; 22 grinder; 23 inorganic substrate in powder form.

FIG. 6. Yeast fermentation process. 24 activated yeast cells; 25 tank for culturing yeast cells, starch: water (35° C.)=1:2.5, semi-aerobic fermentation at 28 to 30° C.; 26 harvested culture.

FIG. 7. Mixing organic and inorganic raw materials. 27 inorganic materials; 28 starch; 29 organic materials; 30 mixer; 31 mixture; 32 mixture to be transported to fertilizer production stage.

FIG. 8. Mixing yeast cells. 33 nitrogen-fixing yeasts 34 P-decomposing yeasts; 37 K-decomposing yeasts; 55 C-decomposing microbes; 35 ATP-producing yeasts; 36 GF-producing yeasts; 52 pathogen-suppressing yeasts; 53 yeasts that decompose undesirable chemicals; 54 deodorizing yeasts; 38 mixture of yeasts; 56 mixture to be transported to fertilizer production stage.

FIG. 9. Fertilizer production process. 39 mixture of yeasts; 40 mixture of organic and inorganic materials; 41 granulizer; 42 fertilizer granules.

FIG. 10. Drying process. 43 fertilizer granules; 44 first dryer; 45 second dryer; 46 dried fertilizer.

FIG. 11. Cooling and packaging process. 47 dried fertilizer; 48 cooler; 49 separator; 50 bulk bag filler; 51 final product.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides biological fertilizer compositions that comprise yeast cells and poultry manure. The present invention also provides methods for manufacturing the biological fertilizer compositions as well as methods for using the biological fertilizer compositions.

The biological fertilizer compositions of the invention can replace chemical/mineral fertilizers in supplying nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) to plants, especially crop plants. The inclusion of poultry manure in the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention provide an environmentally acceptable and economic method for recycling poultry manure.

According to the invention, the biological fertilizer compositions comprise poultry manure and a plurality of yeast cell components. Each yeast cell component is a population of yeast cells which comprises a plurality of yeast cells that are capable of performing a desired function. The yeast cell components of the invention can provide the following six basic functions: (1) fixation of atmospheric nitrogen; (2) decomposition of phosphorus minerals or compounds, or maintaining a balance of phosphorus compounds; (3) decomposition of potassium minerals or compounds; (4) decomposition of complex or high molecular weight carbon materials or compounds; (5) overproduction of growth factors; and (6) overproduction of ATP. The yeast cell components of the invention can provide the following supplementary functions: (7) suppression of growth of pathogens, (8) degradation of undesirable chemicals, or (9) reducing the odor of organic materials.

In one embodiment, a biological fertilizer composition of the invention comprises (I) poultry manure; (II) at least one of the following yeast cell component: (a) a first yeast cell component comprising a first plurality of yeast cells that fix nitrogen; (b) a second yeast cell component comprising a second plurality of yeast cells that decompose phosphorus compounds; or (c) a third yeast cell component comprising a third plurality of yeast cells that decompose potassium compounds; and (III) at least one of the following: (d) a fourth yeast cell component comprising a fourth plurality of yeast cells that suppress the growth of pathogenic microorganisms; (e) a fifth yeast cell component comprising a fifth plurality of yeast cells that degrade antibiotics; or (f) a sixth yeast cell component comprising a sixth plurality of yeast cells that reduce the odor of the biological fertilizer composition. Thus, a biological fertilizer composition of the invention comprises at least two yeast cell components, one providing one of the three listed basic functions and one providing a supplementary function. In another embodiment, the biological fertilizer composition as described above further comprises at least one of the following: (g) a seventh yeast cell component comprising a seventh plurality of yeast cells that convert complex carbon compounds to simple carbohydrates; (h) an eighth yeast cell component comprising an eighth plurality of yeast cells that overproduce growth factors; or (i) a ninth yeast cell component comprising a ninth plurality of yeast cells that overproduce adenosine triphosphate. In preferred embodiments, the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention comprises yeast cell components that provide all six basic functions, plus at least one of the supplementary functions. Thus, the preferred biological fertilizer compositions comprise seven, eight or nine different yeast cell components.

The pluralities of the yeast cells of the invention can be added to poultry manure or existing organic fertilizers to improve their performance.

The poultry manure in the fertilizer compositions provides a source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Optionally, the fertilizer compositions may include an inorganic component comprising minerals which provides an additional source of phosphorous and/or potassium, and other minerals such as but not limited to calcium, magnesium, and sulfur; and micronutrients, such as but not limited to boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.

The biological fertilizer compositions of the present invention have many advantages over mineral fertilizers and organic fertilizers. Because the biological fertilizer of the present invention utilize metabolic activities of living yeasts to convert raw materials, such as atmospheric nitrogen, and phosphorus and potassium compounds in the substrate component, into plant nutrients, the conversion and release of such nutrients by the yeast cells is regulated in part by the nutrient content of the soil. The nutrient content of the soil in turn depends in part on both the environment and the changing needs of plants. Therefore, the release of plant nutrients by the biological fertilizer compositions is adaptable to the soil condition and can be sustained over a period of time.

In addition to supplying nutrients to plants, the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention provide up to three supplementary functions that mitigate some of the undesirable properties of poultry manure that tend to restrict their use as organic fertilizers. The presence of pathogenic bacteria in poultry manure poses a health risk to humans and livestock. The biological fertilizer compositions can include a component of yeast cells that can suppress the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of infection, and circumventing the need to use chemicals in controlling the spread of such pathogens. Another yeast cell component that can be included in the composition is capable of reducing the odor of poultry manure, thus making its inclusion in a fertilizer more acceptable. Yet another yeast cell component can be included to degrade undesirable chemicals, such as antibiotic feed additives, which are found in poultry manure. These supplementary functions generally lessen the adverse impact on the environment of using poultry manure in a fertilizer. The yeast cell components that provide the supplementary functions can each be separately included with the other six yeast cell components that provide the basic functions, or in combination with each other and the other six components to provide the desired assortment of supplementary functions.

While the following terms are believed to have well-defined meanings in the art, the following are set forth to facilitate explanation of the invention.

As used herein, the term “nitrogen fixation” or “fixation of atmospheric nitrogen” encompasses biological processes in which molecular nitrogen or nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into one or more nitrogenous (N) compounds, including but not limited to, ammonia, ammonium salts, urea, nitrites, and nitrates.

As used herein, the phrase “decomposition of phosphorus minerals or compounds” refers to biological processes which convert phosphorus (P) compounds, such as but not limited to those water-insoluble phosphorus compounds present in minerals, such as phosphate rock, into one or more different phosphorus compound(s) which are biologically available or more readily assimilable, i.e., usable for survival and/or growth, by plants and other yeasts. For example, the resulting phosphorus compounds may be more soluble in water or weak acid, and can thus be taken up by the roots of plants. Non-limiting examples of biologically available or assimilable phosphorus compounds include various classes of phosphates such as H₃PO₄, H₂PO₄⁻ and HPO₄²⁻.

As used herein, the phrase “maintenance of a balance of phosphorus compounds” refers to biological processes which convert biologically unavailable or water-insoluble phosphorus compounds into one or more different phosphorus compound(s) which are more biologically available or soluble in water, wherein the processes are sensitive to excess or the lack of phosphorus (P) compounds in the local environment. The conversion process is downregulated when the level of P compound is high (i.e., greater than about 180 ppm) and upregulated when level of P compound is low (i.e., greater than about 60 ppm)

As used herein, the phrase “decomposition of potassium minerals or compounds” refers to biological processes which convert potassium (K) compounds, such as but not limited to those water-insoluble potassium compounds present in potassium-containing minerals and materials, into one or more different potassium compound(s) which can be biologically available or more readily assimilable by plants and other yeasts. For example, the resulting potassium compounds may be more soluble in water, and can thus be taken up by the roots of plants.

As used herein, the phrase “decomposition of complex or high molecular weight carbon minerals, materials or compounds” refers to the biological conversion of a complex organic or inorganic carbon molecule (e.g. complex carbohydrates like cellulose and lignin) into one or more carbon compound(s) which are of a lower molecular weight (e.g., simple carbohydrates) and which can be readily used for survival and/or growth by plants and yeasts. This process includes those reactions where long chains of carbon atoms in a polymeric carbon compound are cleaved.

As used herein, the term “growth factors” refers to molecules commonly required for the growth of yeasts, including but not limited to vitamins, in particular, vitamin B complexes, e.g., vitamin B-1, riboflavin (vitamin B-2), vitamin B-12, niacin (B-3), pyridoxine (B-6), pantothenic acid (B-5); folic acid; biotin; para-aminobenzoic acid; choline; and inositol.

For the purpose of this invention, the above-described five functions together with the overproduction of growth factors and ATP are referred to as the basic functions.

As used herein, the phrase “suppressing the growth of pathogens” refers to a decrease or lack of increase in the number of pathogenic microorganisms present in a sample of poultry manure over a period of time, as a result of the presence of the yeast cells of the invention in the sample. It is to be understood that in the absence of the yeast cells, the number of pathogens in the sample would increase naturally. Many such microorganisms cause diseases in humans and animals, and may include bacteria such as Escherichia species, Salmonella species, Shigella species, Mycobacterium species, Staphylococcus species, Bacillus species, Streptococcus and Diplococcus species.

As used herein, the phrase “degradation of undesirable chemicals” refers to biological or biochemical processes which result in the conversion of chemical compounds that are undesirable in a fertilizer to an inactive form, such as the breakdown of such compounds into lower molecular weight compounds. Antibiotics are commonly present in organic materials and such compounds are not desired in a fertilizer because of the potential risk of ingestion by humans, for example, by eating vegetables grown using a fertilizer comprising contaminated organic material, and the possible spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Many antibiotics are added to animal feed to protect various farm animals, such as chicken, turkey, and swine, from bacterial and parasitic diseases, and to promote growth. A significant amount of antibiotic feed additive is excreted by the animals, and thus accumulates in manure and sludge. Many kinds of antibiotics have been used in animal operations, such as but not limited to aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, beta-lactams, glycopeptides, and macrolides. Examples of antibiotics approved for use in farms in United States include but are not limited to, bacitracin methylene disalicylate, bacitracin zinc, bambermycins, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, penicillin, tylosin/sulfamethazine, roxarsone, nitrasone, monensin, lasalocid, carbodox, tiamulin, hygromycin B, nystatin, novobiocin, sulfadimethoxine, ormetroprim, lincomycin, fenbendazole, and virginiamycin. The presence and quantity of such antibiotics in a composition can be determined by any methods known in the art, for example, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

As used herein, the phrase “reducing the odor of organic materials” refers to a process which results in a lower concentration of one or more odorous compounds in poultry manure. Odorous compounds, such as but not limited to hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, indole, skatole (i.e, 3-methyl-1H-indole), p-cresol, and organic acids, are known to contribute to the malodorous quality of manure. The concentration of such malodorous compounds in poultry manure or in a sample of air in contact with the manure can be determined by any method well known in the art, including but not limited to gas chromatography. Odor is a perception of smell by an organism with olfactory organs. A reduction of the intensity of the odor associated with poultry manure can be determined subjectively. Various methods and techniques are known to measure the intensity of an odor. One subjective measurement of odor intensity is to measure the dilution necessary so that the odor is imperceptible or doubtful to a human or animal test panel. Alternatively, a recognition threshold may also be used which is a higher concentration at which the character of the odor is recognized. Any methods and techniques for objectively or subjectively determine the intensity of an odor can be used to monitor the performance of the compositions and methods of the invention.

For the purpose of this invention, the suppression of growth of pathogens, degradation of undesirable chemicals, and reduction of odor of organic materials are referred to as the supplementary functions or activities.

The inventor discovered that, under various culture conditions, yeasts can be induced to exhibit seven different basic functions and three supplementary functions. The culture condition determines the activity which is activated or enhanced in the cultured yeasts. The specific culture conditions for each of the ten functions are described in details in sections 5.1 to 5.10 respectively.

According to the invention, a yeast cell component of the biological fertilizer composition is produced by culturing a plurality of yeast cells in an appropriate culture medium in the presence of an alternating electromagnetic field or multiple alternating electromagnetic fields in series over a period of time. The culturing process allows yeast spores to germinate, yeast cells to grow and divide, and can be performed as a batch process or a continuous process. As used herein, the terms “alternating electromagnetic field”, “electromagentic field” or “EM field” are synonymous. An electromagnetic field useful in the invention can be generated by various means well known in the art. A schematic illustration of exemplary setups are depicted respectively in FIG. 1. An electromagnetic field of a desired frequency and a desired field strength is generated by an electromagnetic wave source (3) which comprises one or more signal generators that are capable of generating electromagnetic waves, preferably sinusoidal waves, and preferably in the frequency range of 30 MHz-3000 MHz. Such signal generators are well known in the art. Signal generators capable of generating signal with a narrower frequency range can also be used. If desirable, a signal amplifier can also be used to increase the output signal, and thus the field strength.

The electromagnetic field can be applied to the culture by a variety of means including placing the yeast cells in close proximity to a signal emitter connected to a source of electromagnetic waves. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic field is applied by signal emitters in the form of electrodes that are submerged in a culture of yeast cells (1). In a preferred embodiment, one of the electrodes is a metal plate, and the other electrode comprises a plurality of wires configured inside the container (2) so that the energy of the electromagnetic field can be evenly distributed in the culture. The number of electrode wires used depends on both the volume of the culture and the diameter of the wire. For example, for a culture having a volume of 5000 ml, one electrode wire having a diameter of between 0.1 to 1.2 mm can be used for each 100 ml of culture; for a culture having a volume greater than 1000 l, one electrode wire having a diameter of between 3 to 30 mm can be used for each 1000 l of culture.

In preferred embodiments, yeasts of the genera of Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Sporobolomyces, Torulopsis, Trichosporon, Wickerhamia, Ashbya, Blastomyces, Candida, Citeromyces, Crebrothecium, Cryptococcus, Debaryomyces, Endomycopsis; Geotrichum, Hansenula, Kloeckera, Lipomyces, Pichia, Rhodosporidium, and Rhodotorula can be used in the invention.

Non-limiting examples of yeast strains include Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen, ACCC2034, ACCC2035, ACCC2036, ACCC2037, ACCC2038, ACCC2039, ACCC2040, ACCC2041, ACCC2042, AS2.1, AS2.4, AS2.11, AS2.14, AS2.16, AS2.56, AS2.69, AS2.70, AS2.93, AS2.98, AS2.101, AS2.109, AS2.110, AS2.112, AS2.139, AS2.173, AS2.174, AS2.182, AS2.196, AS2.242, AS2.336, AS2.346, AS2.369, AS2.374, AS2.375, AS2.379, AS2.380, AS2.382, AS2.390, AS2.393, AS2.395, AS2.396, AS2.397, AS2.398, AS2.399, AS2.400, AS2.406, AS2.408, AS2.409, AS2.413, AS2.414, AS2.415, AS2.416, AS2.422, AS2.423, AS2.430, AS2.431, AS2.432, AS2.451, AS2.452, AS2.453, AS2.458, AS2.460, AS2.463, AS2.467, AS2.486, AS2.501, AS2.502, AS2.503, AS2.504, AS2.516, AS2.535, AS2.536, AS2.558, AS2.560, AS2.561, AS2.562, AS2.576, AS2.593, AS2.594, AS2.614, AS2.620, AS2.628, AS2.631, AS2.666, AS2.982, AS2.1190, AS2.1364, AS2.1396, IFFI 1001, IFFI 1002, IFFI 1005, IFFI 1006, IFFI 1008, IFFI 1009, IFFI 1010, IFFI 1012, IFFI 1021, IFFI 1027, IFFI 1037, IFFI 1042, IFFI 1043, IFFI 1045, IFFI 1048, IFFI 1049, IFFI 1050, IFFI 1052, IFFI 1059, IFFI 1060, IFFI 1063, IFFI 1202, IFFI 1203, IFFI 1206, IFFI 1209, IFFI 1210, IFFI 1211, IFFI 1212, IFFI 1213, IFFI 1215, IFFI 1220, IFFI 1221, IFFI 1224, IFFI 1247, IFFI 1248, IFFI 1251, IFFI 1270, IFFI 1277, IFFI 1287, IFFI 1289, IFFI 1290, IFFI 1291, IFFI 1292, IFFI 1293, IFFI 1297, IFFI 1300, IFFI 1301, IFFI 1302, IFFI 1307, IFFI 1308, IFFI 1309, IFFI 1310, IFFI 1311, IFFI 1331, IFFI 1335, IFFI 1336, IFFI 1337, IFFI 1338, IFFI 1339, IFFI 1340, IFFI 1345, IFFI 1348, IFFI 1396, IFFI 1397, IFFI 1399, IFFI 1411, IFFI 1413; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen Var. ellipsoideus (Hansen) Dekker, ACCC2043, AS2.2, AS2.3, AS2.8, AS2.53, AS2.163, AS2.168, AS2.483, AS2.541, AS2.559, AS2.606, AS2.607, AS2.611, AS2.612; Saccharomyces chevalieri Guillermond, AS2.131, AS2.213; Saccharomyces delbrueckii, AS2.285; Saccharomyces delbrueckii Lindner var. mongolicus Lodder et van Rij, AS2.209, AS2.1157; Saccharomyces exiguus Hansen, AS2.349, AS2.1158; Saccharomyces fermentati (Saito) Lodder et van Rij, AS2.286, AS2.343; Saccharomyces logos van laer et Denamur ex Jorgensen, AS2.156, AS2.327, AS2.335; Saccharomyces mellis Lodder et Kreger Van Rij, AS2.195; Saccharomyces microellipsoides Osterwalder, AS2.699; Saccharomyces oviformis Osterwalder, AS2.100; Saccharomyces rosei (Guilliermond) Lodder et kreger van Rij, AS2.287; Saccharomyces rouxii Boutroux, AS2.178, AS2.180, AS2.370, AS2.371; Saccharomyces sake Yabe, ACCC2045; Candida arborea, AS2.566; Candida Krusei (Castellani) Berkhout, AS2.1045; Candida lambica (Lindner et Genoud) van. Uden et Buckley, AS2.1182; Candida lipolytica (Harrison) Diddens et Lodder, AS2.1207, AS2.1216, AS2.1220, AS2.1379, AS2.1398, AS2.1399, AS2.1400; Candida parapsilosis (Ashford) Langeron et Talice, AS2.590; Candida parapsilosis (Ashford) et Talice Var. intermedia Van Rij et Verona, AS2.491; Candida pulcherriman (Lindner) Windisch, AS2.492; Candida rugousa (Anderson) Diddens et Loddeer, AS2.511, AS2.1367, AS2.1369, AS2.1372, AS2.1373, AS2.1377, AS2.1378, AS2.1384; Candida tropicalis (Castellani) Berkout, ACCC2004, ACCC2005, ACCC2006, AS2.164, AS2.402, AS2.564, AS2.565, AS2.567, AS2.568, AS2.617, AS2.1387; Candida utilis Henneberg Lodder et Kreger Van Rij, AS2.120, AS2.281, AS2.1180; Crebrothecium ashbyii (Guillermond) Routein, AS2.481, AS2.482, AS2.1197; Geotrichum candidum Link, ACCC2016, AS2.361, AS2.498, AS2.616, AS2.1035, AS2.1062, AS2.1080, AS2.1132, AS2.1175, AS2.1183; Hansenula anomala (Hansen) H et P sydow, ACCC2018, AS2.294, AS2.295, AS2.296, AS2.297, AS2.298, AS2.299, AS2.300, AS2.302, AS2.338, AS2.339, AS2.340, AS2.341, AS2.470, AS2.592, AS2.641, AS2.642, AS2.635, AS2.782, AS2.794; Hansenula arabitolgens Fang, AS2.887; Hansenula jadinii Wickerham, ACCC2019; Hansenula saturnus (Klocker) H et P sydow, ACCC2020; Hansenula schneggii (Weber) Dekker, AS2.304; Hansenula subpelliculosa Bedford, AS2.738, AS2.740, AS2.760, AS2.761, AS2.770, AS2.783, AS2.790, AS2.798, AS2.866; Kloeckera apiculata (Reess emend. Kilocker) Janke, ACCC2021, ACCC2022, ACCC2023, AS2.197, AS2.496, AS2.711, AS2.714; Lipomyces starkeyi Lodder et van Rij, ACCC2024, AS2.1390; Pichia farinosa (Lindner) Hansen, ACCC2025, ACCC2026, AS2.86, AS2.87, AS2.705, AS2.803; Pichia membranaefaciens Hansen, ACCC2027, AS2.89, AS2.661, AS2.1039; Rhodosporidium toruloides Banno, ACCC2028; Rhodotorula glutinis (Fresenius) Harrison, ACCC2029, AS2.280, ACCC2030, AS2.102, AS2.107, AS2.278, AS2.499, AS2.694, AS2.703, AS2.704, AS2.1146; Rhodotorula minuta (Saito) Harrison, AS2.277; Rhodotorula rubar (Demme) Lodder, ACCC2031, AS2.21, AS2.22, AS2.103, AS2.105, AS2.108, AS2.140, AS2.166, AS2.167, AS2.272, AS2.279, AS2.282; Saccharomyces carlsbergensis Hansen, ACCC2032, ACCC2033, AS2.113, AS2.116, AS2.118, AS2.121, AS2.132, AS2.162, AS2.189, AS2.200, AS2.216, AS2.265, AS2.377, AS2.417, AS2.420, AS2.440, AS2.441, AS2.443, AS2.444, AS2.459, AS2.595, AS2.605, AS2.638, AS2.742, AS2.745, AS2.748, AS2.1042; Saccharomyces uvarum Beijer, IFFI 1023, IFFI 1032, IFFI 1036, IFFI 1044, IFFI 1072, IFFI 1205, IFFI 1207; Saccharomyces willianus Saccardo, AS2.5, AS2.7, AS2.119, AS2.152, AS2.293, AS2.381, AS2.392, AS2.434, AS2.614, AS2.1189; Saccharomyces sp., AS2.311; Saccharomyces ludwigii Hansen, ACCC2044, AS2.243, AS2.508; Saccharomyces sinenses Yue, AS2.1395; Schizosaccharomyces octosporus Beijerinck, ACCC 2046, AS2.1148; Schizosaccharomyces pombe Linder, ACCC2047, ACCC2048, AS2.248, AS2.249, AS2.255, AS2.257, AS2.259, AS2.260, AS2.274, AS2.994, AS2.1043, AS2.1149, AS2.1178, IFFI 1056; Sporobolomyces roseus Kluyver et van Niel, ACCC 2049, ACCC 2050, AS2.619, AS2.962, AS2.1036, ACCC2051, AS2.261, AS2.262; Torulopsis candida (Saito) Lodder, ACCC2052, AS2.270; Torulopsis famta (Harrison) Lodder et van Rij, ACCC2053, AS2.685; Torulopsis globosa (Olson et Hammer) Lodder et van Rij, ACCC2054, AS2.202; Torulopsis inconspicua Lodder et van Rij, AS2.75; Trichosporon behrendii Lodder et Kreger van Rij, ACCC2055, AS2.1193; Trichosporon capitatum Diddens et Lodder, ACCC2056, AS2.1385; Trichosporon cutaneum (de Beurm et al.) Ota, ACCC2057, AS2.25, AS2.570, AS2.571, AS2.1374; Wickerhamia fluoresens (Soneda) Soneda, ACCC2058, AS2.1388.

Certain yeast species that can be activated or induced according to the present invention and are included in the present invention are known to be pathogenic to human and/or other living organisms, for example, Ashbya gossypii; Blastomyces dermatitidis; Candida albicans; Candida parakrusei; Candida tropicalis; Citeromyces matritensis; Crebrothecium ashbyii; Cryptococcus laurentii; Cryptococcua neoformans; Debaryomyces hansenii; Debaryomyces kloeckeri; Debaryomyces sp.; Endomycopsis fibuligera. Under certain circumstances, it may be less preferable to use such pathogenic yeasts in the biological fertilizer of the invention, for example, if such use in an open field may endanger the health of human and/or other living organisms.

Yeasts of the Saccharomyces genus are generally preferred. Among strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen is a preferred strain. The most preferred strains of yeast are Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains having accession numbers AS2.504, AS2.558, AS2.413, AS2.397, AS2.69, AS2.109, AS2.607, AS2.516, AS2.561, AS2.422, AS2.393, AS2.631, AS2.982, AS2.560, AS2.467, AS2.415, AS2.375, AS2.628, AS2.1190, AS2.562, AS2.463, AS2.409, AS2.379, AS2.666, AS2.631, AS2.182, AS2.431, AS2.606, AS2.53, AS2.611, AS2.414, AS2.576, AS2.483, IFFI 1211, IFFI 1293, IFFI 1308, IFFI 1210, IFFI 1213, IFFI 1307, IFFI 1206, IFFI 1052, IFFI 1301, IFFI 1291, IFFI 1202, IFFI 1021, IFFI 1059, IFFI 1052, IFFI 1441, IFFI 1008, IFFI 1220, IFFI 1302, and IFFI 1023 as deposited at the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC).

Generally, yeast strains useful for the invention can be obtained from private or public laboratory cultures, or publically accessible culture deposits, such as the American Type Culture Collection, 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 and the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC), China Committee for Culture Collection of Microorganisms, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian, P.O. Box 2714, Beijing, 100080, China.

The following yeast strains are preferred for making the P-balancing yeasts of the invention: AS2.558, AS2.118, AS2.103, AS2.132, AS2.121, AS2.189, AS2.216, AS2.265, AS2.417, AS2.420, AS2.200, AS2.162, AS2.440, AS2.277, AS2.441, AS2.443, AS2.444, AS2.605, AS2.595, AS2.638, AS2.742, AS2.748, AS2.14, AS2.16, AS2.56, AS2.69, AS2.70, AS2.109, AS2.112, AS2.375, AS2560, AS2.561, AS2.562, AS2.559, AS2.501, AS2.502, AS2.503, AS2.504, IFFI1001, IFFI1002, IFFI1005, IFFI1006, IFFI1008, IFFI1009, IFFI1010, IFFI1012, IFFI1021, IFFI1027, IFFI1037, IFFI1042, IFFI1060, IFFI1063, IFFI1202, IFFI1203, IFFI1206, IFFI1209, IFFI1210, IFFI1211, IFFI1212, IFFI1213, IFFI1215, IFFI1220, IFFI1220, IFFI1221, IFFI1224, IFFI1247, IFFI1248, IFFI1251, IFFI1270, IFFI1277, IFFI1287, IFFI1289, IFFI1290, IFFI1291, IFFI1292, IFFI1293, IFFI1297, IFFI1300, IFFI1301, IFFI1307, IFFI1308, IFFI1309, IFFI1310, IFFI1311, IFFI1331, IFFI1335, IFFI1336, IFFI1337, IFFI1338, IFFI1340, IFFI1339, IFFI1345, IFFI1396, IFFI1399, IFFI1411, IFFI1413, IFFI1023, IFFI1032, IFFI1036, IFFI1044, and IFFI1207.

Although it is preferred, the preparation of the yeast cell components of the invention is not limited to starting with a pure strain of yeast. Each yeast cell component may be produced by culturing a mixture of yeast cells of different species or strains. The constituents of a yeast cell component can be determined by standard yeast identification techniques well known in the art.

Some yeasts may perform one of the desired functions more efficiently than others. The table below lists the species and accession numbers of various yeast strains and the preferred functions for which the respective strains are stimulated by the methods of the invention.

The ability and efficiency of any species or strain of yeast to perform any one of the ten desired functions before or after culturing under the conditions of the invention can readily be tested by methods known in the art. For example, the amount of nitrogen fixed can be determined by a modified acetylene reduction method as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,486 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The modified acetylene reduction method determines the amount of nitrogen fixed by measuring the decrease in molecular nitrogen in a volume of air. The amount of nitrogen fixed can also be determined by measurement of the ammonia and nitrates produced by the yeast cells (see, for example, Grewling et al., 1965, Cornell Agr Exp Sta Bull 960:22-25). A standard method that is applicable to determine total organic nitrogen is the Kjeldahl method.

The amount of phosphorus available to plants as a result of conversion from insoluble or biologically-unavailable phosphorus compounds can be determined by the molybdenum blue method (see, for example, Murphy et al., 1962, Analytica Chimica Acta 27:31-36) or the UV absorption method; whereas the amount of available potassium converted from insoluble or biologically-unavailable potassium compounds can be determined, for example, by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (see, for example, Puchyr, et al., 1986, J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 69:868-870). The ability of the yeasts to supply biologically available N, P, and K after the biological fertilizer composition has been added to soil can be tested by many techniques known in the art. For example, plant-available ammonia, nitrates, P, and K produced by the yeast cells in soil can be extracted and quantitatively analyzed by the Morgan soil test system (see, for example, Lunt et al., 1950, Conn Agr Exp Sta Bull 541).

Methods well known in the art can be used for detecting and analyzing various organic molecules in manure and in soil, including HPLC. Similarly, methods well known in the art can be used for detecting and counting the number of viable microorganisms and the total number of microorganisms in a sample.

Without being bound by any theory or mechanism, the inventor believes that the culture conditions activate and/or enhance the expression of a gene or a set of genes in a yeast cell such that the cell becomes active or more efficient in performing certain metabolic activities which lead to the respective desired results.

Poultry manure is used to form the organic substrate component of the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention. The term “poultry manure” as used herein broadly encompasses the feces and urine of domesticated birds, with or without accompanying litter such as straw, hay, or bedding, that is traditionally used to fertilize land. Poultry manure includes but are not limited to manure produced by chicken, duck, turkey, goose, quail, squab, ostrich, and the like. Poultry manure include excrement or guano produced by non-domesticated bird species. Typically, poultry manure is produced by birds used in animal operations such as but not limited to ranches, farms, slaughterhouses, and markets.

Optionally, an inorganic substrate component can be included in the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention. The inorganic substrate component can include but not limited to phosphate rock or rock phosphate, apatite, phosphorite, sylvinite, halite, carnalitite, and potassium mica.

Due to the variation of constituents in poultry manure, it may be desirable to subject a sample of a batch of poultry manure to analysis to determine the amount of plant nutrient present. Methods of soil analysis well known in the art can be used to measure the amount of N, P, K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, sodium and sulfur in the manure.

In various embodiments, the biological fertilizer compositions of the present invention each comprises at least seven yeast cell components capable of performing six basic functions plus at least one of the supplementary functions. In a most preferred embodiment, the biological fertilizer compositions comprise nine yeast cell components, in which case the six basic functions and all three supplementary functions are provided. It will be understood that alternative formulations are also contemplated.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, when a batch of poultry manure that is relatively rich in biologically-available phosphorus is used, the biological fertilizer composition can be formulated to comprise yeast cells that can maintain a balance of phosphorus compounds instead of yeast cells that decompose phosphorus-containing minerals or compounds. Moreover, if desired, the biological fertilizer composition may comprise lesser quantities of one or more of the above-described yeast cell components that supply one of the six basic functions. For example, if the biological fertilizer composition is to be used in soil that is rich in potassium, the biological fertilizer composition can be formulated to comprise lesser amount of the yeast cells that can decompose potassium-containing minerals or compounds.

In another embodiment of the invention, where the yeast cells of the various yeast cell components are present in a mixture, the yeast cells can be cultured under certain conditions such that the yeast cells with different functions can supply each other with and/or rely on each other for nutrients and growth factors. As a result, a symbiosis-like relationship is established among the various yeast cell components in the fertilizer compositions of the invention. This culturing process is optional but can improve the stability and efficiency of the compositions such that the resulting fertilizer is made more suitable for long term use in natural soil environments. The culturing conditions for this optional process are described in Section 5.11.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the yeast cells may also be cultured under certain conditions so as to adapt the yeast cells to a particular type of soil. This culturing process is optional, and can be applied to each yeast cell component separately or to a mixture of yeast cell components. The result is better growth and survival of the yeast cells in a particular soil environment. The culturing conditions for this optional process are described in Section 5.12.

As used herein, the biological fertilizer composition supports or enhances plant growth, if in the presence of the biological fertilizer in the soil, or applied to the roots, stems, leaves or other parts of the plant, the plant or a part of the plant gains viability, size, weight, rate of germination, rate of growth, or rate of maturation. Thus, the biological fertilizer compositions have utility in any kind of agricultural, horticultural, and forestry practices. The biological fertilizer compositions can be used for large scale commercial farming, in open fields or in greenhouse, or even in interiors for decorative plants. Preferably, the biological fertilizer is used to enhance the growth of crop plants, such as but not limited to cereal crops, vegetable crops, fruit crops, flower crops, and grass crops. For example, the biological fertilizer compositions may be used with wheat, barley, corn, soybean, rice, oat, potato, apple, orange, tomato, melon, cherry, lemon, lettuce, carrot, sugar cane, tobacco, cotton, etc.

The biological fertilizer compositions of the invention may be applied in the same manner as conventional fertilizers. As known to those skilled in the relevant art, many methods and appliances may be used. In one embodiment, a mixture of culture broths of the east strains of the present invention and poultry manure are applied directly to soil or plants. In another embodiment, dried powders of the yeast strains of the present invention and poultry manure are applied to soil or plants. The biological fertilizer compositions may be applied to soil, by spreaders, sprayers, and other mechanized means which may be automated. The biological fertilizer compositions may be applied directly to plants, for example, by soaking seeds and/or roots, or spraying onto leaves. Such application may be made periodically, such as once per year, or per growing season, or more frequently as desired. Although not necessary in most cases, the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention can also be used in conjunction or in rotation with other types of fertilizers.

In one preferred embodiment, the biological fertilizer composition of the invention, i.e., yeasts of the invention mixed with poultry manure in granular form, is used as a basal fertilizer which is applied into the soil at the depth of the major root system of the crop. Prior to application, the ground should be loosened and clear of weeds. The biological fertilizer composition can be spread evenly onto the ground, added to holes or long furrows in the ground. For existing fruit trees, a circular furrow of about 5 to 30 cm deep is dug into which the biological fertilizer composition of the invention is added. The ground, holes, or furrows containing the biological fertilizer composition can then be covered with soil and watered throughly. After 3 to 7 days, the area is ready for planting or sowing. For rice, the ground is flooded with water for 3 to 7 days before planting the seedlings. If used in sandy soil with a shallow root system, a depth of 5 to 15 cm is used; with a deep root system, 5 to 25 cm is recommended. In clay soil with a shallow root system, a depth of 2 to 10 cm is used; with a deep root system, 2 to 15 cm is recommended. The desired effect is that the biological fertilizer composition is contact with or in very close proximity to the roots of the plants. Preferably, after application of the fertilizer and/or planting, the soil is not disturbed. Generally, the operation temperature of the fertilizer is between 5° C. to 45° C., optimally between 16° C. to 30° C.; the preferred pH range is between 5.5 to 8.5, and optimally between 6.5 to 7.5.

Recommended Dosage

	Crop	Amount of Biological Fertilizer

	Vegetables (short-growing)	600-900	kg/ha
	Vegetable (long-growing)	900-1200	kg/ha
	Ground vegetable	900-1350	kg/ha
	Solanaceous fruit	900-1350	kg/ha
	Root & Tuber vegetable	750-900	kg/ha
	Bulb vegetable	900-1200	kg/ha
	Legume	600-1050	kg/ha
	Fruit Trees	2-5	kg/tree
	Paddy Rice	600-900	kg/ha
	Wheat & Corn	750-1200	kg/ha
	Cotton & Peanut	600-1200	kg/ha

Described respectively in Sections 5.1-5.10 are the yeast cell components used for nitrogen fixation, phosphorus compound decomposition, potassium compound decomposition, complex carbon compound decomposition, growth factors production, ATP production, pathogen suppression, degradation of undesirable chemicals, and reduction of odor. Methods for preparing each yeast cell components are described. Section 5.11 describes the methods for establishing a symbiosis-like relationship among yeast strains in a fertilizer composition of the invention. Section 5.12 describes methods for adapting yeast cells of the invention to a particular type of soil. Section 5.13 describes the manufacture of the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention. Methods for the preparation of organic substrates and for the manufacture of the biological fertilizer, including mixing, drying, cooling, and packing, are also described. In various embodiments of the invention, standard techniques for handling, transferring, and storing yeasts are used. Although it is not necessary, sterile conditions or clean environments are desirable when carrying out the processes of the invention.

5.1. Nitrogen-Fixing Yeast Cell Component

Nitrogen fixation is a process whereby atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonia and nitrates. Close to 800 species of naturally occurring microorganisms, mostly bacteria and cyanobacteria, from more than 70 genera have been found to be able to fix nitrogen. Some of the nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, such as Rhizoboum, form symbiotic association with plants, especially in the root of legumes. Others, such as Azotobacter, are free-living and capable of fixing nitrogen in soil.

In the present invention, the ability of a yeast to fix nitrogen is activated or enhanced, and the resulting nitrogen-fixing yeast cells can be used as a component of the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention.

According to the invention, yeast cells that have an enhanced ability to fix nitrogen are prepared by culturing the cells in the presence of an electromagnetic field in an appropriate culture medium. The frequency of the electromagnetic field for activating or enhancing nitrogen fixition in yeasts can generally be found within the range of 800 MHz-1000 MHz. After the yeast cells have been cultured for a sufficient period of time, the cells can be tested for their ability to fix nitrogen by methods well known in the art.

The method of the invention for making the nitrogen-fixing yeast cells is carried out in a liquid medium. The medium contains sources of nutrients assimilable by the yeast cells. In general, carbohydrates such as sugars, for example, sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose, maltose, xylose, and the like and starches, can be used either alone or in combination as sources of assimilable carbon in the culture medium. The exact quantity of the carbohydrate source or sources utilized in the medium depends in part upon the other ingredients of the medium but, in general, the amount of carbohydrate usually varies between about 0.1% and 5% by weight of the medium and preferably between about 0.5% and 2%, and most preferably about 1%. These carbon sources can be used individually, or several such carbon sources may be combined in the medium.

Among the inorganic salts which can be incorporated in the culture media are the customary salts capable of yielding sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, sulfate, carbonate, and like ions. Non-limiting examples of nutrient inorganic salts are CaCO₃, KH₂PO₄, MgSO₄, NaCl, and CaSO₄.

TABLE 1
Composition for a culture medium for nitrogen-fixing yeast

	Medium Composition	Quantity

	KH2PO4	0.2	g
	K2HPO4	0.2	g
	MgSO4•7H2O	0.25	g
	CaCO3•5H2O	3.5	g
	CaSO4•2H2O	0.5	g
	NaCl	0.25	g
	Yeast extract paste	0.3	g
	Sucrose	12.0	g
	Distilled water or autoclaved water	1000	ml

It should be noted that the composition of the media provided in Table 1 is not intended to be limiting. Various modifications of the culture medium may be made by those skilled in the art, in view of practical and economic considerations, such as the scale of culture and local supply of media components.

The process can be initiated by inoculating 100 ml of medium with 1 ml of an inoculum of the selected yeast strain(s) at a cell density of 10²-10⁵ cell/ml, preferably 3×10²-10⁴ cell/ml. The process can be scaled up or down according to needs. The yeast culture is grown in the presence of an electromagnetic (EM) field, or a series of EM fields. If a series of EM fields are applied, the yeast culture can remain in the same container and use the same set of electromagnetic wave generator and emitters when switching from one EM field to another EM field.

The EM field(s), which can be applied by any means known in the art, can each have a frequency in the range of about 800 to about 1000 MHz, preferably in the range of 840.000 to 916.000 MHz. For example and without being limited by such examples, each EM field can have a frequency at about 840, 845, 850, 855, 860, 865, 870, 875, 880, 885, 890, 895, 900, 905, 910, 915, or 920 MHz. The field strength of the EM field(s) is in the range of 10 to 200 mV/cm. If a series of EM fields are applied, the EM fields can each have a different frequency within the stated range, or a different field strength within the stated range, or different frequency and field strength within the stated ranges. In a preferred embodiment, the EM field(s) at the beginning of a series have a lower EM field strength than later EM field(s), such that the yeast cell culture are exposed to EM fields of progressively increasing field strength. Although any practical number of EM fields can be used within a series, it is preferred that the yeast culture be exposed to a total of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 different EM fields in a series.

Although the yeast cells will become activated even after a few hours of culturing in the presence of the EM field(s), and the yeast cells can be cultured in the presence of the EM field(s) for an extended period of time (e.g., one or more weeks), it is generally preferred that the activated yeast cells be allowed to multiply and grow in the presence of the EM field or EM fields for a total of about 140-280 hours.

For example, using an exemplary apparatus as depicted in FIG. 1, an initial EM field in the range of 10-20 mV/cm, usually at about 12.5 mV/cm is used. After this first period of culture, the yeast cells are further incubated under substantially the same conditions for another period, except that the EM field strength is increased to a higher level in the range of 50-200 mV/cm, usually to about 125 mV/cm. The process of the invention is carried out at temperatures ranging from about 23° to 30° C.; however, it is preferable to conduct the process at 25° to 28° C. The culturing process may preferably be conducted under conditions in which the concentration of dissolved oxygen is between 0.025 to 0.8 mol/m³, preferably 0.4 mol/m³. The oxygen level can be controlled by any conventional means known to one skilled in the art, including but not limited to stirring and/or bubbling.

At the end of the culturing process, the nitrogen-fixing yeast cells may be recovered from the culture by various methods known in the art, and stored at a temperature below about 0° C. to 4° C. The nitrogen-fixing yeast cells may also be dried and stored in powder form.

Any methods known in the art can be used to test the activated yeast cells for their ability to fix nitrogen. For example, a modified acetylene reduction method for measuring nitrogen fixed by microorganisms is used to evaluate the nitrogen-fixing capability of the prepared yeast. The modified acetylene reduction method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,486 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. An alternative method based on 15-N can also be used.

The ability of the yeasts of the invention in fixing nitrogen can be demonstrated by the following two methods:

One ml of activated yeast strain AS2.628 (2-5×10⁷) was cultured in 1000 ml of Ashby medium at 28° C. in the presence of a series of 8 EM fields in the order stated: 855 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 865 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 875 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 885 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 855 MHz at 120 mV/cm for 30 hours; 865 MHz at 120 mV/cm for 30 hours; 875 MHz at 120 mV/cm for 30 hours; 885 MHz at 120 mV/cm for 30 hours. In a separate container, as control, 1 ml of non-activated yeast was cultured under the same conditions without the EM fields. After culturing, the 1000 ml of yeast cells are mixed with 3000 g sterilized coal dust powder, and then dried at less than 70° C. until the moisture content is less than 5%. The end product in powder form (0.1 g) was sealed with 10 ml of Ashby medium in a 100 ml culture flask (5 flasks for each were used in the experiment). 10 ml of air was removed from the flasks by a syringe and replaced with 10 ml of acetylene (>99% purity). The culture flasks were incubated at 28° C. for 24-120 hours and the amount of acetylene reduced was measured by gas chromatography. The amount of acetylene reduced after 120 hours was greater than 120 μmol/g of the dried powder. There was no significant reduction of acetylene in the control containing non-activated yeasts.

Alternatively, the isotopic nitrogen dilution method can be used. The end product in powder form (0.1 g of non-activated and 0.1 g of activated yeasts) were cultured separately for 96 hours at 28° C. The amount of nitrogen fixed by each was determined and compared. The amount of nitrogen fixed by activated yeasts was greater than 3.5 mg/g of the dried powder. The control containing non-activated yeasts did not show any significant fixation of nitrogen.

5.2. Phosphorus-Decomposing Yeast Cell Component

The phosphorus compound-decomposing (P-decomposing) yeast of the invention converts insoluble or biologically-unavailable phosphorus-containing substances, such as phosphate rock, into soluble phosphorous compounds so that they become available to plants.

In the present invention, the ability of yeasts to decompose insoluble phosphorus-containing substances is activated or enhanced, and the resulting P-decomposing yeast cells can be used as a component of the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention.

In various embodiments, P-decomposing yeast cells are employed in the compositions of the invention when the level of soluble or biologically-available phosphorous is low in the poultry manure. P-decomposing yeast is less preferred when the biologically-available phosphorous level is high which is common in poultry manure.

According to the invention, yeast cells that are capable of P-decomposing are prepared by culturing the cells in the presence of an electromagnetic field in an appropriate culture medium. The frequency of the electromagnetic field for activating or enhancing P-decomposition in microbes can generally be found in the range of 300 MHz to 500 MHz. After the cells have been cultured for a sufficient period of time, the cells can be tested for their ability to decompose phosphorus-containing substances by methods well known in the art.

The method of the invention for making the P-decomposing yeast cells is carried out in a liquid medium. The medium contains sources of nutrients assimilable by the yeast cells. In general, carbohydrates such as sugars, for example, sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose, maltose, xylose, and the like and starches, can be used either alone or in combination as sources of assimilable carbon in the culture medium. The exact quantity of the carbohydrate source or sources utilized in the medium depends in part upon the other ingredients of the medium but, in general, the amount of carbohydrate usually varies between about 0.1% and 5% by weight of the medium and preferably between about 0.5% and 2%, and most preferably about 1.5%. These carbon sources can be used individually, or several such carbon sources may be combined in the medium.

Among the inorganic salts which can be incorporated in the culture media are the customary salts capable of yielding sodium, potassium, calcium, sulfate, carbonate, and like ions. Non-limiting examples of nutrient inorganic salts are CaCO₃, MgSO₄, NaCl, and CaSO₄. Non-biologically available forms of phosphorus-containing substances in a suitable form are also included in the media as dried organic substrate. Non-limiting examples of dried organic substrate include manure, sludge and garbage of ≧150 mesh. Other insoluble phosphorus-containing substances can also be used either separately or in combination.

TABLE 2
Composition for a culture medium for P-decomposing yeast

	Medium Composition	Quantity

	Sucrose	15	g
	NaCl	1.2	g
	MgSO4•7H2O	0.2	g
	CaCO3•5H2O	3.0	g
	CaSO4•2H2O	0.3	g
	KNO3	0.3	g
	Yeast extract paste	0.5	g

Dried poultry manure

1.2 g to 2.4 g; Powder of >150 mesh

	Autoclaved water	1000	ml

It should be noted that the composition of the media provided in Table 2 is not intended to be limiting. Various modifications of the culture medium may be made by those skilled in the art, in view of practical and economic considerations, such as the scale of culture and local supply of media components.

The process can be initiated by inoculating 100 ml of medium with 1 ml of an inoculum of the selected yeast strain(s) at a cell density of 10²-10⁵ cell/ml, preferably 3×10²-10⁴ cell/ml. The process can be scaled up or down according to needs. The yeast culture is grown in the presence of an electromagnetic (EM) field, or a series of EM fields. If a series of EM fields are applied, the yeast culture can remain in the same container and use the same set of electromagnetic wave generator and emitters when switching from one EM field to another EM field.

The EM field(s), which can be applied by any means known in the art, can each have a frequency in the range of about 300 to about 500 MHz, preferably in the range of 340.000 to 435.000 MHz. For example and without being limited by such examples, each EM field can have a frequency at about 340, 345, 350, 355, 360, 365, 370, 375, 375, 380, 385, 390, 395, 400, 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430 or 435 MHz. The field strength of the EM field(s) is in the range of 10 to 200 mV/cm. If a series of EM fields are applied, the EM fields can each have a different frequency within the stated range, or a different field strength within the stated range, or different frequency and field strength within the stated ranges. In a preferred embodiment, the EM field(s) at the beginning of a series have a lower EM field strength than later EM field(s), such that the yeast cell culture are exposed to EM fields of progressively increasing field strength. Although any practical number of EM fields can be used within a series, it is preferred that the yeast culture be exposed to a total of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 different EM fields in a series.

Although the yeast cells will become activated even after a few hours of culturing in the presence of the EM field(s), and the yeast cells can be cultured in the presence of the EM field(s) for an extended period of time (e.g., one or more weeks), it is generally preferred that the activated yeast cells be allowed to multiply and grow in the presence of the EM field or EM fields for a total of about 140-280 hours.

For example, using an exemplary apparatus as depicted in FIG. 1, an initial field strength in the range of 10-20 mV/cm, usually at about 12.5 mV/cm is used. After this first period of culture, the yeast cells are further incubated under substantially the same conditions for another period, except that the EM field strength is increased to a higher level in the range of 50-200 mV/cm, usually to about 125 mV. The process of the invention is carried out at temperatures ranging from about 23° to 30° C.; however, it is preferable to conduct the process at 25° to 28° C. The culturing process may preferably be conducted under conditions in which the concentration of dissolved oxygen is between 0.025 to 0.8 mol/m³, preferably 0.4 mol/m³. The oxygen level can be controlled by any conventional means known to one skilled in the art, including but not limited to stirring and/or bubbling.

At the end of the culturing process, the P-decomposing yeast cells may be recovered from the culture by various methods known in the art, and stored at a temperature below about 0° C. to 4° C. The P-decomposing yeast cells may also be dried and stored in powder form.

The amount of biologically available phosphorus, such as H₃PO₄, H₂PO₄⁻, and HPO₄²⁻, in the culture can be determined by any methods known in the art, including but not limited to UV absorption spectroscopy. The increase can be calculated by the difference between the total amount of biologically available phosphorus in a culture with activated yeasts and the amount of biologically available phosphorus in the same medium with non-activated yeast. For example, 1 ml of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain AS2.399 (2 to 5×10⁷ yeasts/ml) is inoculated into 1000 ml of a medium according to Table 2. The culture is incubated at a temperature of 28° C. in the presence of a series of 8 EM fields in the order stated: 360 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 365 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 370 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 380 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 360 MHz at 130 mV/cm for 30 hours; 365 MHz at 130 mV/cm for 30 hours; 370 MHz at 130 mV/cm for 30 hours; 375 MHz at 130 mV/cm for 30 hours. The increase in the amount of biologically available phosphorus was determined to be greater than 330 mg/ml of yeast culture.

5.3. Phosphorus-Balancing Yeast Cell Component

The phosphorus-balancing (P-balancing) yeasts of the invention also convert insoluble or biologically unavailable phosphorus-containing substances into soluble biologically available phosphorous compounds. However, the P-balancing yeast is preferably used when the level of phosphorus in the local environment is high. The conversion of insoluble or biologically unavailable phosphorus-containing substances into soluble biologically available phosphorous is sensitive to the level of phosphorus; at about 180 ppm or higher, the conversion is reduced while at about 60 ppm or lower, the conversion is increased.

In the present invention, the P-balancing yeast cells are preferably deployed in biologically fertilizer compositions that include an organic substrate that already contains a relatively significant level of soluble or biologically available phosphorous. For example, poultry manure contains a relatively high level of soluble phosphorus as compared to other kinds of manure.

According to the invention, yeast cells that are capable of P-balancing are prepared by culturing the cells in the presence of an electromagnetic field in an appropriate culture medium. The frequency of the electromagnetic field for activating or enhancing P-balancing function in yeasts can generally be found in the range of 300 MHz to 500 MHz. After the cells have been cultured for a sufficient period of time, the cells can be tested for their ability to decompose phosphorus-containing substances by methods well known in the art.

The method of the invention for making the P-balancing yeast cells is carried out in a liquid medium. The medium contains sources of nutrients assimilable by the yeast cells. In general, carbohydrates such as sugars, for example, sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose, maltose, xylose, and the like and starches, can be used either alone or in combination as sources of assimilable carbon in the culture medium. The exact quantity of the carbohydrate source or sources utilized in the medium depends in part upon the other ingredients of the medium but, in general, the amount of carbohydrate usually varies between about 0.1% and 5% by weight of the medium and preferably between about 0.5% and 2%, and most preferably about 1.5%. These carbon sources can be used individually, or several such carbon sources may be combined in the medium.

Among the inorganic salts which can be incorporated in the culture media are the customary salts capable of yielding sodium, potassium, calcium, sulfate, carbonate, and like ions. Non-limiting examples of nutrient inorganic salts are CaCO₃, MgSO₄, NaCl, and CaSO₄. Insoluble phosphorus-containing substances in a suitable form are also included in the media. Non-limiting examples include powder of dried sludge of >150 mesh. Other insoluble phosphorus-containing substances can also be used either separately or in combination.

TABLE 3
Composition for a culture medium for P-balancing yeast

	Medium Composition	Quantity

	Sucrose	15	g
	NaCl	1.2	g
	MgSO4•7H2O	0.2	g
	CaCO3•5H2O	3.0	g
	CaSO4•2H2O	0.3	g
	KNO3	0.3	g
	Yeast extract paste	0.5	g

Dried poultry manure

1.2 g; Powder of >150 mesh

	Autoclaved water	1000	ml

It should be noted that the composition of the media provided in Table 3 is not intended to be limiting. Various modifications of the culture medium may be made by those skilled in the art, in view of practical and economic considerations, such as the scale of culture and local supply of media components.

The process can be initiated by inoculating 100 ml of medium with 1 ml of an inoculum of the selected yeast strain(s) at a cell density of 10²-10⁵ cell/ml, preferably 3×10²-10⁴ cell/ml. The process can be scaled up or down according to needs. The yeast culture is grown in the presence of an electromagnetic (EM) field, or a series of EM fields. If a series of EM fields are applied, the yeast culture can remain in the same container and use the same set of electromagnetic wave generator and emitters when switching from one EM field to another EM field.

The EM field(s), which can be applied by any means known in the art, can each have a frequency in the range of about 300 to about 500 MHz, or preferably in the range of 380.000 to 485.000 MHz. For example and without being limited by such examples, each EM field can have a frequency at about 380, 385, 390, 395, 400, 402, 405, 410, 415, 420, 422, 425, 430, 432, 435, 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 480 or 485 MHz. The field strength of the EM field(s) is in the range of 90 to 300 mV/cm. If a series of EM fields are applied, the EM fields can each have a different frequency within the stated range, or a different field strength within the stated range, or different frequency and field strength within the stated ranges. In a preferred embodiment, the EM field(s) at the beginning of a series have a lower EM field strength than later EM field(s), such that the yeast cell culture are exposed to EM fields of progressively increasing field strength. Although any practical number of EM fields can be used within a series, it is preferred that the yeast culture be exposed to a total of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 different EM fields in a series.

Although the yeast cells will become activated even after a few hours of culturing in the presence of the EM field(s), and the yeast cells can be cultured in the presence of the EM field(s) for an extended period of time (e.g., two or more weeks), it is generally preferred that the activated yeast cells be allowed to multiply and grow in the presence of the EM field or EM fields for a total of about 230-480 hours.

For example, using an exemplary apparatus as depicted in FIG. 1, an initial field strength in the range of 50-150 mV/cm, usually at about 100 mV is used. After this first period of culture, the yeast cells are further incubated under substantially the same conditions for another period, except that the EM field strength is increased to a higher level in the range of 200-300 mV/cm, usually to about 250 mV/cm. The process of the invention is carried out at temperatures ranging from about 23° to 30° C.; however, it is preferable to conduct the process at 25° to 28° C. The culturing process may preferably be conducted under conditions in which the concentration of dissolved oxygen is between 0.025 to 0.8 mol/m³, preferably 0.4 mol/m³. The oxygen level can be controlled by any conventional means known to one skilled in the art, including but not limited to stirring and/or bubbling.

At the end of the culturing process, the P-balancing yeast cells may be recovered from the culture by various methods known in the art, and stored at a temperature below about 0° C. to 4° C. The P-balancing yeast cells may also be dried and stored in powder form.

The amount of biologically available phosphorus, such as H₃PO₄, H₂PO₄⁻, and HPO₄²⁻, in the culture can be determined by any methods known in the art, including but not limited to UV absorption spectroscopy. The increase can be calculated by the difference between the total amount of biologically available phosphorus in a culture with activated yeasts and the amount of phosphorus in the same medium with non-activated yeast. For example, 1 ml of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain AS2.628 (2 to 5×10⁷ yeasts/ml) is inoculated into 1000 ml of a medium containing 200 mg/l of H₃PO₄, H₂PO₄⁻ and HPO₄²⁻. The culture is incubated at a temperature of 28° C. in the presence of a series of 8 EM fields in the order stated: 385 MHz at 99 mV/cm for 12 hours; 415 MHz at 99 mV/cm for 12 hours; 440 MHz at 99 mV/cm for 12 hours; 460 MHz at 99 mV/cm for 12 hours; 385 MHz at 250 mV/cm for 48 hours; 415 MHz at 250 mV/cm for 48 hours; 440 MHz at 250 mV/cm for 24 hours; 460 MHz at 250 mV/cm for 24 hours. The increase in the amount of biologically available phosphorus was determined to be greater than 24%. The control did not show any significant change in the amount of biologically available phosphorus.

5.4. Potassium-Decomposing Yeast Cell Component

The potassium compound-decomposing (K-decomposing) yeasts of the invention converts insoluble potassium-containing substances, such as potassium mica, into soluble potassium so that they become available to plants.

In the present invention, the ability of a plurality of yeast cells to decompose insoluble potassium-containing substances is activated or enhanced, and the resulting K-decomposing yeast cells can be used as a component of the biological fertilizer compositions of the invention.

According to the present invention, yeast cells that are capable of K-decomposing are prepared by culturing the cells in the presence of an electromagnetic field in an appropriate culture medium. The frequency of the electromagnetic field for activating or enhancing K-decomposition in yeasts can generally be found in the range of 100 MHz-300 MHz. After the yeast cells have been cultured for a sufficient period of time, the cells can be tested for their ability to decompose potassium-containing substances by methods well known in the art.

The method of the invention for making the K-decomposing yeast cells is carried out in a liquid medium. The medium contains sources of nutrients assimilable by the yeast cells. In general, carbohydrates such as sugars, for example, sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose, maltose, xylose, and the like and starches, can be used either alone or in combination as sources of assimilable carbon in the culture medium. The exact quantity of the carbohydrate source or sources utilized in the medium depends in part upon the other ingredients of the medium but, in general, the amount of carbohydrate usually varies between about 0.1% and 5% by weight of the medium and preferably between about 0.5% and 2%, and most preferably about 1.5%. These carbon sources can be used individually, or several such carbon sources may be combined in the medium.

Among the inorganic salts which can be incorporated in the culture media are the customary salts capable of yielding sodium, calcium, phosphate, sulfate, carbonate, and like ions. Non-limiting examples of nutrient inorganic salts are (NH₄)₂HPO₄, CaCO₃, MgSO₄, NaCl, and CaSO₄. Insoluble potassium-containing substances in a suitable form are also included in the media. Non-limiting examples include powder of potassium mica of ≧200 mesh. Other insoluble potassium-containing substances can also be used either separately or combined.

TABLE 4
Composition for a culture medium for K-decomposing yeast

	Medium Composition	Quantity

	Sucrose	15	g
	NaCl	1.2	g
	MgSO4•7H2O	0.2	g
	CaCO3•5H2O	3.0	g
	CaSO4•2H2O	0.3	g
	(NH4)2HPO4	0.3	g
	Yeast extract paste	0.5	g

	Potassium mica	1.0 g, Powder of >200 mesh
	Dried poultry manure	1.2-3 g, Powder of >150 mesh

	Autoclaved water	1000	ml

It should be noted that the composition of the media provided in Table 4 is not intended to be limiting. Various modifications of the culture medium may be made by those skilled in the art, in view of practical and economic considerations, such as the scale of culture and local supply of media components.

The process can be initiated by inoculating 100 ml of medium with 1 ml of an inoculum of the selected yeast strain(s) at a cell density of 10²-10⁵ cell/ml, preferably 3×10²-10⁴ cell/ml. The process can be scaled up or down according to needs. The yeast culture is grown in the presence of an electromagnetic (EM) field, or a series of EM fields. If a series of EM fields are applied, the yeast culture can remain in the same container and use the same set of electromagnetic wave generator and emitters when switching from one EM field to another EM field.

The EM field(s), which can be applied by any means known in the art, can each have a frequency in the range of about 100 to about 300 MHz, preferably in the range of 190.000 to 285.000 MHz. For example and without being limited by such examples, each EM field can have a frequency at about 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, or 285 MHz. The field strength of the EM field(s) is in the range of 10 to 200 mV/cm. If a series of EM fields are applied, the EM fields can each have a different frequency within the stated range, or a different field strength within the stated range, or different frequency and field strength within the stated ranges. In a preferred embodiment, the EM field(s) at the beginning of a series have a lower EM field strength than later EM field(s), such that the yeast cell culture are exposed to EM fields of progressively increasing field strength. Although any practical number of EM fields can be used within a series, it is preferred that the yeast culture be exposed to a total of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 different EM fields in a series.

Although the yeast cells will become activated even after a few hours of culturing in the presence of the EM field(s), and the yeast cells can be cultured in the presence of the EM field(s) for an extended period of time (e.g., one or more weeks), it is generally preferred that the activated yeast cells be allowed to multiply and grow in the presence of the EM field or EM fields for a total of about 140-280 hours.

For example, using an exemplary apparatus as depicted in FIG. 1, an initial field strength in the range of 10-20 mV/cm, usually at about 125 mV/cm is used. After this first period of culture, the yeast cells are further incubated under substantially the same conditions for another period, except that the EM field strength is increased to a higher level in the range of 50-200 mV/cm, usually to about 125 mV/cm. The process of the invention is carried out at temperatures ranging from about 23° to 30° C.; however, it is preferable to conduct the process at 25° to 28° C. The culturing process may preferably be conducted under conditions in which the concentration of dissolved oxygen is between 0.025 to 0.8 mol/m³, preferably 0.4 mol/m³. The oxygen level can be controlled by any conventional means known to one skilled in the art, including but not limited to stirring and/or bubbling.

At the end of the culturing process, the K-decomposing yeast cells may be recovered from the culture by various methods known in the art, and stored at a temperature below about 0-4° C. The K-decomposing yeast cells may also be dried and stored in powder form.

Any methods known in the art can be used to test the cultured yeast cells for their ability to decompose insoluble potassium-containing substances. For example, 1 ml of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain AS2.631 (2 to 5×10⁷ cells/ml) was inoculated into 1000 ml of a medium according to Table 4. The culture was incubated at a temperature at 28° C. in the presence of a series of 8 EM fields in the order stated: 210 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 235 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 245 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 255 MHz at 14 mV/cm for 5 hours; 210 MHz at 120 mV/cm for 30 hours; 235 MHz at 120 mV/cm for 30 hours; 245 MHz at 120 mV/cm for 30 hours; 255 MHz at 120 mV/cm for 30 hours. A control was set up which contained non-activated cells of the same strain of yeasts. The amount of biologically available potassium K⁺ in the culture can be determined by any methods known in the art, including but not limited to flame spectroscopy and/or atomic absorption spectrometry. The increase in potassium is calculated by the difference between the quantity of potassium in the medium of Table 4 after culturing and the basal level of potassium in the medium prior to culturing. The increase in the amount of biologically available potassium was determined to be greater than 120 mg/ml of cultured yeast cells. There was no significant change in the amount of potassium available in the control.

5.5. Complex Carbon-Decomposing Yeast Cell Component

The carbon-decomposing (C-decomposing) yeast of the invention converts complex, high molecular weight, carbon compounds and materials, in particular, complex carbohydrates, such as cellulose and lignin, into simple carbohydrates, such as pentoses and hexoses. Such simple carbohydrates are utilized by other yeast cells in the local environment to support their growth and activities.

In the present invention, the ability of yeast to decompose complex carbon compounds efficiently is activated or enhanced, and the resulting C-decomposing yeast cells can be used as a component of the biological fertilizer composition of the invention.

According to the present invention, yeast cells that are capable of C-decomposition are prepared by culturing the cells in the presence of an electromagnetic field in an appropriate culture medium. The frequency of the electromagnetic field for C-decomposition in yeasts can generally be found in the range of 1000 MHz-1200 MHz After the yeast cells have been cultured for a sufficient period of time, the cells can be tested for their ability to decompose complex carbon compounds by methods well known in the art.

1. A method for enhancing plant growth comprising growing a plant in the presence of a biological fertilizer composition, wherein said biological fertilizer composition comprises: (I) poultry manure; (II) at least one of the following: (a) a first yeast prepared by culturing a first plurality of yeast cells in a first electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 840 to 916 MHz and a field strength of 10 to 200 mV/cm; (b) a second yeast prepared by culturing a second plurality of yeast cells in a second electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 300 to 500 MHz and a field strength of 10 to 300 mV/cm; (c) a third yeast prepared by culturing a third plurality of yeast cells in a third electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 190 to 285 MHz and a field strength of 10 to 200 mV/cm; and (III) at least one of the following: (d) a fourth yeast prepared by culturing a fourth plurality of yeast cells in a fourth electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 30 to 50 MHz and a field strength of 20 to 200 mV/cm; (e) a fifth yeast prepared by culturing a fifth plurality of yeast cells in a fifth electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 70 to 100 MHz and a field strength in the range of 40 to 250 mV/cm; and (f) a sixth yeast prepared by culturing a sixth plurality of yeast cells in a sixth electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 2160 to 2250 MHz and 2280 to 2380 MHz and a field strength in the range of 100 to 300 mV/cm.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological fertilizer composition is applied to soil at the depth of the major root system of the plant.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein about 600 to 1350 kg/ha of the biological fertilizer composition is used.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant is a cereal crop, a vegetable crop, a fruit crop, a flower crop, or a grass crop.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant is wheat, barley, corn, soybean, rice, oat, potato, apple, orange, tomato, melon, cherry, lemon, lettuce, carrot, sugar cane, tobacco, or cotton.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the yeast (b) is prepared by culturing a second plurality of yeast cells in a second electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 380 to 485 MHz and a field strength of 90 to 300 mV/cm.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological fertilizer composition further comprise at least one of the following: (g) a seventh yeast prepared by culturing a seventh plurality of yeast cells in a fourth electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of to 1050 to 1160 MHz and a field strength of 10 to 200 mV/cm; (h) an eighth yeast prepared by culturing an eighth plurality of yeast cells in an eighth electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 1340 to 1440 MHz and a field strength of 20 to 200 mV/cm; and (i) a ninth yeast prepared by culturing a ninth plurality of yeast cells in a ninth electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 1630 to 1730 MHz and a field strength of 20 to 200 mV/cm.

8. The method of claim 1 or 7, wherein each yeast comprises yeast cells of the genus Saccharomyces.

9. The method of claim 1 or 7, wherein each yeast separately comprises cells of a species of yeast selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces chevalieri, Saccharomyces exiguus, Saccharomyces logos, Saccharomyces oviformis, Saccharomyces sake, Saccharomyces uvarum Beijer, Saccharomyces willianus, Saccharomyces ludwigii, Saccharomyces sinenses, and Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

10. The method of claim 1 or 7, wherein each yeast separately comprises cells of a strain of yeast selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen, ACCC2034, ACCC2035, ACCC2036, ACCC2037, ACCC2038, ACCC2039, ACCC2040, ACCC2041, ACCC2042, AS2.1, AS2.4, AS2.11, AS2.16, AS2.56, AS2.69, AS2.70, AS2.93, AS2.98, AS2.101, AS2.109, AS2.110, AS2.112, AS2.139, AS2.173, AS2.174, AS2.182, AS2.196, AS2.242, AS2.336, AS2.374, AS2.375, AS2.379, AS2.380, AS2.382, AS2.390, AS2.393, AS2.395, AS2.396, AS2.397, AS2.398, AS2.400, AS2.406, AS2.408, AS2.409, AS2.413, AS2.414, AS2.415, AS2.416, AS2.422, AS2.423, AS2.431, AS2.432, AS2.451, AS2.452, AS2.453, AS2.458, AS2.460, AS2.463, AS2.467, AS2.486, AS2.502, AS2.503, AS2.504, AS2.516, AS2.535, AS2.536, AS2.558, AS2.560, AS2.561, AS2.562, AS2.576, AS2.593, AS2.594, AS2.614, AS2.620, AS2.628, AS2.631, AS2.666, AS2.982, AS2.1190, AS2.1364, AS2.1396, IFFI1001, IFFI1002, IFFI1005, IFFI1006, IFFI1008, IFFI1009, IFFI1010, IFFI1012, IFFI1021, IFFI1027, IFFI1037, IFFI1042, IFFI1043, IFFI1045, IFFI1048, IFFI1049, IFFI1050, IFFI1052, IFFI1059, IFFI1060, IFFI1063, IFFI1202, IFFI1203, IFFI1206, IFFI1209, IFFI1210, IFFI1211, IFFI1212, IFFI1213, IFFI1215, IFFI1220, IFFI1221, IFFI1224, IFFI1247, IFFI1248, IFFI1251, IFFI1270, IFFI1277, IFFI1287, IFFI1289, IFFI1290, IFFI1291, IFFI1292, IFFI1293, IFFI1297, IFFI1300, IFFI1301, IFFI1302, IFFI1307, IFFI1308, IFFI1309, IFFI1310, IFFI1311, IFFI1331, IFFI1335, IFFI1336, IFFI1337, IFFI1338, IFFI1339, IFFI1340, IFFI1345, IFFI1348, IFFI1396, IFFI1397, IFFI1399, IFFI1411, IFFI1413; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen var. ellipsoideus (Hansen) Dekker, ACCC2043, AS2.2, AS2.3, AS2.8, AS2.53, AS2.163, AS2.168, AS2.483, AS2.541, AS2.559, AS2.606, AS2.607, AS2.611, AS2.612; Saccharomyces chevalieri Guillermond, AS2.131, AS2.213; Saccharomyces exiguus Hansen, AS2.349, AS2.1158; Saccharomyces logos van laer et Denamur ex Jorgensen, AS2.156, AS2.327, AS2.335; Saccharomyces oviformis Osterwalder, AS2.100; Saccharomyces sake Yabe, ACCC2045; Saccharomyces carlsbergensis Hansen, ACCC2032, ACCC2033, AS2.113, AS2.116, AS2.118, AS2.121, AS2.132, AS2.162, AS2.189, AS2.200, AS2.216, AS2.265, AS2.377, AS2.417, AS2.420, AS2.440, AS2.441, AS2.443, AS2.444, AS2.459, AS2.595, AS2.605, AS2.638, AS2.742, AS2.745, AS2.748, AS2.1042; Saccharomyces uvarum Beger, IFFI1023, IFFI1032, IFFI1036, IFFI1044, IFFI1072, IFFI1205, IFFI1207; Saccharomyces willianus Saccardo, AS2.5, AS2.7, AS2.119, AS2.152, AS2.293, AS2.381, AS2.392, AS2.434, AS2.614, AS2.1189; Saccharomyces sp., AS2.311; Saccharomyces ludwigii Hansen, ACCC2044, AS2.243, AS2.508; and Saccharomyces sinenses Yue, AS2.1395.

11. The method of claim 1 or 7, wherein each yeast comprises cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

12. The method of claim 1 or 7, wherein the biological fertilizer composition further comprises an inorganic substrate component.

13. The method of claim 1 or 7, wherein the inorganic substrate component comprises one or more of rock phosphate, apatite, phosphorite, sylvinite, halite, camalitite, or potassium mica.

14. The method of claim 1 or 7, wherein the yeast cells are dried.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the biological fertilizer composition is applied to soil at the depth of the major root system of the plant.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein about 600 to 1350 kg/ha of the biological fertilizer composition is used.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein the plant is a cereal crop, a vegetable crop, a fruit crop, a flower crop, or a grass crop.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein the plant is wheat, barley, corn, soybean, rice, oat, potato, apple, orange, tomato, melon, cherry, lemon, lettuce, carrot, sugar cane, tobacco, or cotton.

19. The method of claim 7, wherein the yeast (b) is prepared by culturing a second plurality of yeast cells in a second electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 380 to 485 MHz and a field strength of 90 to 300 mV/cm.

20. The method of claim 7, wherein the biological fertilizer composition comprises yeasts (a) through (f) of claim 1, and yeasts (g) through (i) of claim 7.

21. The method of claim 7, wherein yeast (a) comprises cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.628; yeast (b) comprises cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.399; yeast (c) comprises cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.631; yeast (d) comprises cells of one or more of the following yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae IFFI1037, IFFI1021, IFFI1331, IFFI1345, or IFFI1211, yeast (e) comprises cells of one or more of the following yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.293, IFFI1063, IFFI1221, IFFI1340, IFFI1215, IFFI1213, IFFI1206, IFFI1211, IFFI1210, or IFFI1260; and yeast (f) comprises cells of one or more of the following yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.559, AS2.423, AS2.612, AS2.53, or AS2.163.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein yeast (a) comprises cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.628; yeast (b) comprises cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.399; yeast (c) comprises cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.631; yeast (d) comprises cells of one or more of the following yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae IFFI1037, IFFI1021, IFFI1331, IFFI1345, or IFFI1211; yeast component (e) comprises cells of one or more of the following yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.293, IFFI1063, IFFI1221, IFFI1340, IFFI1215, IFFI1213, IFFI1206, IFFI1211, IFFI1210, yeast (f) comprises cells of one or more of the following yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.559, AS2.423, AS2.612, AS2.53, or AS2.163; yeast (g) comprises cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.982; yeast (h) comprises cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.413; and yeast (i) comprises cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS2.536.