	US 12,384,969 B2
	Enhancement of soil characteristics with lactobionate compounds
Richard K. Merrill, Denver, CO (US)
Assigned to Leprino Foods Company, Denver, CO (US)
Filed by Leprino Foods Company, Denver, CO (US)
Filed on Jan. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/737,540.
Application 16/737,540 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/030,473, filed on Jul. 9, 2018, granted, now 11,802,241.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/530,402, filed on Jul. 10, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0140756 A1, May 7, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C09K 17/14 (2006.01); C05C 3/00 (2006.01); C05C 5/00 (2006.01); C05C 9/00 (2006.01); C05G 3/80 (2020.01)

CPC C09K 17/14 (2013.01) [C05C 3/00 (2013.01); C05C 5/00 (2013.01); C05C 9/00 (2013.01); C05G 3/80 (2020.02)]

20 Claims

1. A method of extending a period of increased soil nitrogen levels in a soil, the method comprising:

applying a soil enhancement agent to the soil, wherein the soil enhancement agent comprises one or both of (i) lactobionic acid and (ii) at least one salt of lactobionic acid, and wherein the soil enhancement agent comprises less than 1 dry wt. % proteins; and

applying a nitrogen-containing fertilizer to the soil,

wherein the soil treated with both the soil enhancement agent and the nitrogen-containing fertilizer has a higher level of soil nitrogen for at least a portion of a growing cycle of a plant-based crop planted in the soil than the same soil treated without the soil enhancement agent during the growing cycle of the plant-based crop.