Solid Energy has achieved BioGro New Zealand organic certification for the company's Southland humates, furthering the company's plans to become a fertiliser market player.Scientific testing recently confirmed that select lignite seams at Solid Energy's N
Solid Energy has achieved BioGro New Zealand organic certification for the company’s Southland humates, furthering the company’s plans to become a fertiliser market player.
Scientific testing recently confirmed that select lignite seams at Solid Energy’s New Vale Mine in Southland are a source of high-quality humates.
The humic and fulvic acids contained in humates help plants retain nutrients, and humates mixed with traditional fertiliser may help prevent nitrogen leaching.
Solid Energy environmental business manager Dr Paul Weber said last week that early results show that the humate product from New Vale could have more than 30% humic acid.
“Exploratory laboratory trials have indicated humates can slow the leaching of nitrogen fertilisers,” he said.
“This may allow plants to use more of the nutrient before it leaches away. By helping soils retain nitrogen, humates could offer financial benefits to farmers and also reduce the negative effects of leaching on aquifers and rivers.”
Solid Energy has an agreement with New Zealand Humates (NZH) to supply humates for the New Zealand market.
NZH managing director Dave Whitteker said that a number of his clients apply a 4% to 10% humate, fertiliser and agricultural limestone mix to their pastures to maximise pasture and crop response.
“Further research is required on this product, under New Zealand conditions”, he said.
Humate trials are currently under way at Lincoln University, and Solid Energy is investigating options for liquid humates that could be used for blended fertilisers, water treatment and clean-up of contaminated sites.
Solid Energy announced last week that it had secured exclusive New Zealand rights to Australian coal conversion technology.
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