Glycoluril Slow Release Fertilizer Suspension

Abstract

Two methods have been developed for producing a glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension product. Urea and glyoxal are reacted at a urea to glyoxal mole ratio between 2.0 and 8.0. One or more mineral acids are added between 10 and 30 percent by weight of the formulation and heated between 80 and 100 degrees C. until 70% or more of the glyoxal has been converted to water insoluble glycoluril particles. The pH may be adjusted with an inorganic base, primary fertilizer nutrients added, and a suspending agent is admixed to form a stable suspension. A “green chemistry” method requiring no heat also yields a stable product at room temperature by mixing all the materials and immediately placing the product in storage. The glycoluril product forms during storage in high yield. As such, the liquid glycoluril fertilizer suspensions are stable and easily applied through liquid application, or can be used as a raw material component of a granulated fertilizer product.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawing, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of both inventive methods for producing slow release fertilizer suspensions.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the figure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The method of the present invention may be carried out in a vessel equipped with heating and cooling capability, mechanical stirring, high-speed agitation for incorporation of the suspending material and a water-cooled condenser. No special or unusual equipment is required due of the simplicity of the method.

For the method of this invention to be effective in producing a storage stable glycoluril suspension fertilizer, the work method is discussed in the following paragraphs. FIG. 1 shows each of the steps described below.

First, between 2 and 8 moles of urea per mole of glyoxal are dissolved in water to produce an aqueous solution, step 1. The amount of water used will vary depending on the formulated solids content of the final suspension.

Glyoxal can also be slowly added to a urea solution containing the same mole ratios during the heating step 3, however, there is no effect on the yield of the glycoluril suspension. Mixing the two reactants initially and allowing the urea to dissolve completely in water before initiating step 3, simplifies the reaction. Solids content can range between 45 and 65 percent with a recommended 50 percent for a stable suspension formulation.

A 6.0 mole ratio of urea to glyoxal is preferred because the yields are higher. After the theoretical two moles of urea react with glyoxal, the remaining four moles are available to react with the mineral acids, step 2, to form the urea salts of the acids or to remain as free urea nitrogen in the aqueous suspension. Mole ratios between 4.0 and 6.0 can be used. However, urea solubility may become a problem at a mole ratio of 8.0 when formulating solids between 45% and 65%.

The solution is then acidified with a mineral acid or a combination of the acids initiates step 2. The acids used in this invention include: phosphoric (85%); hydrochloric acid (36%); nitric acid (70%). Sulfuric acid can also be used alone or in combination with one or more of the mineral acids to supply the sulfur micronutrient in addition to acting as a catalyst.

An unexpected result of using phosphoric acid and nitric acid is the formation of urea phosphate and urea nitrate solids in the suspension due to the limited solubility of each material in water and the presence of the glycoluril. Both products were isolated and identified as a component of the suspension formulations.

The percentage of acid in the formulation is equal to or greater than 10% by weight and can range from 20% for nitric acid to 30% for phosphoric acid. Those familiar with the art of preparing fertilizer formulations will adjust the acid content to meet the N—P—K formulation requirements.

The glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension can be prepared with our without heat as shown in FIG. 1. The aqueous urea, glyoxal and acidic solution are heated to a temperature range from, 80 degrees Centigrade to 100 degrees Centigrade initiates step 3. Yields greater than 89% were achieved for all mineral acids (urea/glyoxal ration of 6.0) at reflux for one hour. Reflux times greater than one hour had minimal effect on the yields.

Yields at 80 degrees Centigrade for three hours average 82% for phosphoric and hydrochloric acids, while nitric acid formulations at this same temperature averaged 88%.

A base may be added to the cooled reaction to adjust the pH of the formulation depending on the final N—P—K requirements, step 4 in FIG. 1. Potassium hydroxide (50%) and sodium hydroxide (50%) were used in this discovery. However, bases such as ammonium hydroxide, potassium carbonate and other neutralizing reagents familiar to those knowledgeable in the art of fertilizer formulations may be used. An alternative to adjusting the pH is the direct addition of primary principal fertilizer materials as shown in step 5. The addition of nutrients in this step is optional. Depending on the final N—P—K formulation, principal fertilizer materials such as the ammonium and potassium salts, urea, nitrate salts, phosphate salts, and other multiple nutrients can be added at this stage of the process. Adjustment of solids content with additional water may also be necessary at this step. These nutrients may be added at this step as part of the liquid suspension fertilizer that can be stored for use in the custom lawn treating industry.

The addition of the suspending agent in step 6 is the final step in the process. Attaflow SF, a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate product, manufactured by Englehard, was used in this invention. The percentage range of Attaflow SF used was between 0.5% and 1.5%. The most cost effective and preferred amount is 1.0%. Although settling of the glycoluril particles does occur in several days, the particles remain stable, do not agglomerate, and may be resuspended with gentle agitation.

It was also an objective of this discovery to develop a new an novel method of preparing a glycoluril complete fertilizer formulation in a more cost effective and efficient manner at room temperature.

An unexpected and environmentally friendly, “green chemistry”, aspects of this invention are the high yields achieved without heat. If base is to be added to adjust the final pH and nutrient content, the solution of urea and glyoxal in step 2 is first stirred for 24 or 72 hours, step 7, and then the based is added in step 4. Yields of glycoluril at room temperature, with 72 hours stirring, averaged 89%. A high of 94% was achieved for phosphoric acid with the urea/glyoxal ratio of 6.0. Room temperature yields at 24 hours under the same conditions averaged 70% for the mineral acids.

The preferred final pH for this green chemistry method is between 6.5 and 7.2 when bases selected from a group consisting of ammonia, alkali metal hydroxides or alkali metal carbonates are used. Potassium hydroxide is the preferred base of choice since the potassium salt of the acid is an active nutrient in the final formulation.

The optional addition of primary fertilizer nutrients can be added directly to the room temperature solution after step 4. Depending on the final N—P—K formulation, principal fertilizer materials such as the ammonium and potassium salts, urea, nitrate salts, phosphate salts, and other multiple nutrients can be added at this stage of the process. Adjustment of solids content with additional water may also be necessary at this step. These nutrients may be added at this step as part of the liquid suspension fertilizer that can be stored for use in the custom lawn treating industry.

The process for suspending the glycoluril in the green chemistry method, step 6, is the same as described above for the alternative heating method. Attaflow SF, a hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate product, manufactured by Englehard, was used. The percentage range of Attaflow SF used was between 0.5% and 1.5%. The most cost effective and preferred amount is 1.0%. Although settling of the glycoluril particles does occur in several days, the particles remain stable, do not agglomerate, and may be resuspended with gentle agitation.

The green chemistry method, with no pH adjustment, offers a large cost savings opportunity for manufacturing a glycoluril slow release suspension formulation. The various components of the fertilizer formula are mixed and brought into solution, step 2, primary nutrients may be added in step 5 followed by the suspending agent in step 6, with required agitation. The final suspension formula can then be immediately placed in an appropriate storage container where the glycoluril forms in good yield at room temperature. The suspending agent keeps the glycoluril in suspension as it is formed over time.

After the suspending agent is added in step 6 and effectively mixed with high speed stirring or high speed agitation to yield a stable suspension product in either the heating method or the green chemistry method, the completed formulation offers the combined advantage of both mineral water soluble nitrogen fertilizers and organic water insoluble slow release nitrogen sources for turf applications. The final formulations can also be added as a component to a granular fertilizer. The glycoluril suspension can be sprayed directly onto finely divided particulate raw materials that will be further processed into a granular fertilizer with a slow release component. Various fertilizer manufacturers sell the granulated products with water insoluble nitrogen compounds through their retail outlets.

EXAMPLES

Examples 1 thru 4 demonstrate the heating method and the use of phosphoric, hydrochloric, nitric and a combination of two acids, phosphoric and nitric acid, respectively to produce formulations with various slow release fertilizer suspension formulations.

Example 1

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 18-7-0, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea and 52 grams water to a 250-milliliter round bottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a heating mantel and a magnetic stirrer. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred solution followed by 23 grams phosphoric acid (85%). A water-cooled condenser was added to the flask and the voltage set to allow the reaction to reflux for one hour with constant stirring.

The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature after the one-hour reflux. The cooled mixture was transferred to a 400-milliliter beaker and 10 grams Attaflow SF (20%) were added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 16.89% urea, 20.52% urea phosphate and 14.09% glycoluril. The final pH was 1.0 and solids were calculated at 52.57%.

Example 2

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 20-0-0, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea and 35 grams water to a 250-milliliter round bottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a heating mantel and a magnetic stirrer. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred solution followed by 20.0 grams hydrochloric acid (36%). A water-cooled condenser was added to the flask and the voltage set to allow the reaction to reflux for one hour with constant stirring.

The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature after the one-hour reflux. The cooled mixture was transferred to a 400-milliliter beaker and 10 grams Attaflow SF (20%) were added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 30.45% urea and 15.44% glycoluril. The final pH was 1.0 and solids were calculated at 51.46%.

Example 3

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 20-0-0, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea and 50 grams water to a 250-milliliter round bottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a heating mantel and a magnetic stirrer. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred solution followed by 34.0 grams nitric acid (70%). A water-cooled condenser was added to the flask and the voltage set to allow the reaction to reflux for one hour with constant stirring.

The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature after the one-hour reflux. The cooled mixture was transferred to a 400-milliliter beaker and 10 grams Attaflow SF (20%) were added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 13.91% urea, 24.93% urea phosphate and 13.00% glycoluril. The final pH was 1.0 and solids were calculated at 52.93%.

Example 4

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 19-4-0, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea and 50 grams water to a 250-milliliter round bottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a heating mantel and a magnetic stirrer. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred solution followed by 10.0 grams nitric acid (70%) and 12.0 grams phosphoric acid (85%). A water-cooled condensor was added to the flask and the voltage set to allow the reaction to reflux for one hour with constant stirring.

The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature after the one-hour reflux. The cooled mixture was transferred to a 400-milliliter beaker and 10 grams Attaflow SF (20%) were added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 20.43% urea, 8.96% urea phosphate, 7.81% urea nitrate and 14.01% glycoluril. The final pH was 1.0 and solids were calculated at 52.34%.

Examples 5 thru 8 demonstrate the heating method, the use of phosphoric, hydrochloric, nitric and a combination of two acids, phosphoric and nitric acid, respectively, and the use of potassium hydroxide as the base for pH adjustment and primary nutrient to produce formulations with various slow release fertilizer suspension formulations.

Example 5

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 16-6-4, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea and 52.0 grams water to a 250-milliliter round bottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a heating mantel and a magnetic stirrer. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred solution followed by 23.0 grams phosphoric acid (85%). A water-cooled condenser was added to the flask and the voltage set to allow the reaction to reflux for one hour with constant stirring.

The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature after the one-hour reflux. The pH was adjusted to 6.2 with 25.0 grams potassium hydroxide (45%). After the pH adjustment, the mixture was transferred to a 400-milliliter beaker and 10 grams Attaflow SF (20%) were added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 24.0% urea, 12.83% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 12.16% glycoluril. Solids were calculated at 48.8%.

Example 6

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 18-0-5, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea and 30.0 grams water to a 250-milliliter round bottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a heating mantel and a magnetic stirrer. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred solution followed by 20.0 grams hydrochloric acid (36%). A water-cooled condenser was added to the flask and the voltage set to allow the reaction to reflux for one hour with constant stirring.

The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature after the one-hour reflux. The pH was adjusted to 6.1 with 25.0 grams potassium hydroxide (45%). After the pH adjustment, the mixture was transferred to a 400-milliliter beaker and 10 grams Attaflow SF (20%) were added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 27.22% urea, 8.01% potassium chloride and 13.79% glycoluril. Solids were calculated at 49.01%.

Example 7

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 16-0-8, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea and 50.0 grams water to a 250-milliliter round bottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a heating mantel and a magnetic stirrer. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred solution followed by 34.0 grams nitric acid (70%). A water-cooled condenser was added to the flask and the voltage set to allow the reaction to reflux for one hour with constant stirring.

The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature after the one-hour reflux. The pH was adjusted to 6.0 with 50.0 grams potassium hydroxide (45%). After the pH adjustment, the mixture was transferred to a 400-milliliter beaker and 10 grams Attaflow SF (20%) were added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 27.22% urea, 16.31% potassium nitrate and 10.48% glycoluril. Solids were calculated at 47.64%.

Example 8

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 16-6-4, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea and 52.0 grams water to a 250-milliliter round bottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a heating mantel and a magnetic stirrer. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred solution followed by 12.0 grams phosphoric acid (85%) and 10.0 grams nitric acid (70%). A water-cooled condenser was added to the flask and the voltage set to allow the reaction to reflux for one hour with constant stirring.

The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature after the one-hour reflux. The pH was adjusted to 6.2 with 28.0 grams potassium hydroxide (45%). After the pH adjustment, the mixture was transferred to a 400-milliliter beaker and 10 grams Attaflow SF (20%) were added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 24.00% urea, 6.69% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 5.58% potassium nitrate and 12.16% glycoluril. Solids were calculated at 48.8%.

Example 9 demonstrates the heating method, the use of phosphoric acid, pH adjustment with potassium hydroxide and the addition of monoammonium phosphate and potassium chloride as additional nutrients to produce a slow release fertilizer suspension formulation.

Example 9

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 12-8-8, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea and 52.0 grams water to a 250-milliliter round bottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a heating mantel and a magnetic stirrer. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred solution followed by 23.0 grams phosphoric acid (85%). A water-cooled condenser was added to the flask and the voltage set to allow the reaction to reflux for one hour with constant stirring.

The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature after the one-hour reflux. The pH was adjusted to 6.2 with 24.0 grams potassium hydroxide (45%). After the pH adjustment, 16 grams monoammonium phosphate and 24 grams potassium chloride were added to the mixture. An additional 40 grams of water were added to adjust the final solids to 50.8%. The mixture was stirred for 15 minutes and transferred to a 400-milliliter beaker and 15 grams Attaflow SF (20%) were added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 24.54% urea, 9.18% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 5.41% monoammonium phosphate, 8.12% potassium chloride and 9.67% glycoluril.

Example 10 demonstrates a cost effective method using “green chemistry”, where no heat energy is required, and the simple mixing of phosphoric acid, along with the addition of potassium nitrate and potassium chloride produce a slow release fertilizer suspension formulation at room temperature.

Example 10

A typical slow release fertilizer suspension containing N, P and K in a ratio of 18-0-4, calculated as N—P₂O₅—K₂O is prepared by adding 72.5 grams urea, 65.0 grams water and 34 grams nitric acid (70%) respectively, to a 400-milliliter beaker equipped with a magnetic stirring bar. Urea nitrate formed immediately and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes to dissolve the urea and some urea phosphate. After the urea dissolved, 29.2 grams glyoxal (40%) was added to the stirred mixture and stirring was continued for 10 minutes at room temperature.

Potassium nitrate, 20.0 grams, was added to the mixture and stirring was continued for 15 minutes. Attaflow SF (20%), 15 grams, was added, followed by high-speed agitation with a Sunbeam hand held Oster Model 2614-000 blender for 5 minutes to yield the stable suspension. The final formulation contained the following plant nutrients: 11.48% urea, 8.67% potassium nitrate, 21.15% urea phosphate and 11.40% glycoluril. Solids were calculated at 53.57%.

Liquid glycoluril slow release suspension fertilizers, prepared by the methods above, were bottled and allowed to set on the laboratory shelf for over six months without any sign of gelling or precipitation. Although settling of the glycoluril particles does occur in several days, the particles remain stable, do not agglomerate, and may be resuspended with gentle agitation.

While the compositions and methods described herein constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise compositions and methods, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the examples chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspensions for a liquid application to a lawn or as a component of a granulated fertilizer turf product, the steps comprising: preparing an aqueous urea glyoxal solution;acidifying the aqueous solution by the addition of a composition comprising one or more mineral acids selected from a group of hydrochloric, phosphoric, nitric and sulfuric acids to form an acidified solution;heating the acidified solution until water-insoluble glycoluril particles are formed;admixing a first composition with the particles wherein said first composition comprises a base selected from the group: ammonia, alkali metal hydroxides and alkali metal carbonates;admixing principal fertilizer materials with the glycoluril particles and adjusting the water content of the aqueous solution; andadding a suspending agent for suspending the glycoluril particles;whereby a formulation at room temperature is formed.

2. The method of preparing glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension in accordance with claim 1, wherein said aqueous urea and glyoxal solution comprises between 2 and 8 moles of urea per mole of glyoxal.

3. The method of preparing glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mineral acid is present in an amount of between 10 and 30 percent by formula weight of the mineral acids.

4. The method of preparing glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension in accordance with claim 1, wherein said acidified solution is maintained in the temperature range between 25 and 100 degrees centigrade.

5. The method of preparing glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pH of the mixture is adjusted to between 1.0 and 7.2.

6. The method of preparing glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension in accordance with claim 1, wherein a liquid fertilizer is formed containing one or more nitrogen, phosphate or potassium nutrients.

7. The method of preparing glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension in accordance with claim 1, wherein the water content of the aqueous solution is adjusted by the addition of water to meet a solids content of a composition comprising N—P—K nutrients.

8. The method of preparing glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension in accordance with claim 1, wherein said admixing a suspending agent with said particles in the amount of between 0.5 and 1.5 percent.

9. The method for preparing glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension in accordance with claim 7, maintaining a pH around 1.0 with necessary mixing to yield a final composition that can be stored while the glycoluril forms with suspension at room temperature.

10. The method of preparing glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension for liquid application to a lawn or as a component of a granulated fertilizer turf product, comprising: Mixing between 2 and 8 moles of urea per mole of glyoxal, for forming an aqueous urea and glyoxal solution;adding between 10 and 30 percent by formula weight of the mineral acids, for acidifying the aqueous solution one or more mineral acids selected from a group of hydrochloric, phosphoric, nitric or sulfuric acid;maintaining the temperature between 25 and 100 degrees centigrade, for heating the acidified solution until more than 70 percent of the glyoxal has reacted for form water insoluble glycoluril particles;adjusting the mixture between 1.0 and 7.2 pH, for admixing a base selected from the group consisting of ammonia, alkali metal hydroxides and alkali metal carbonates;creating a liquid fertilizer containing one or more: nitrogen, phosphate and potassium plant nutrients, for admixing principal fertilizer materials such as the ammonium and potassium salts, urea, nitrate salts, phosphate salts, and other plant nutrients with the glycoluril particles and adjusting the water content of the aqueous solution;adding between 0.5 percent and 1.5 percent of a suspending agent, for suspending the glycoluril and plant nutrients; andmixing the components of the fertilizer formula, maintaining a pH around 1.0 and adding a suspending agent with necessary mixing to yield a final composition that can be stored while the glycoluril forms with suspension at room temperature, for preparing a formulation at room temperature.

11. A method of producing storage stable glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspensions, the steps comprising: mixing between 2 and 8 moles of urea per mole of glyoxal in water to form an aqueous solution; andacidifying the aqueous solution with between 10 to 30 percent by weight of one or more mineral acids selected from the group of hydrochloric, phosphoric, nitric or sulfuric acids.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the acidified solution is held at a temperature between 25 and 100 degrees Centigrade until 70 percent or more of the glyoxal has reacted sufficiently with the urea to form water insoluble glycoluril particles and the aqueous mixture of glycoluril particles is neutralized to a pH between 6.0 and 7.2 by admixing a base selected from the group consisting of ammonia, alkali metal hydroxides and alkali metal carbonates.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein one or more nitrogen, phosphate and potassium plant nutrients are admixed with the glycoluril particles and the aqueous solution to form a complete liquid fertilizer.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein a suspending agent amounting to between 0.5 and 1.5 percent by weight is added to the glycoluril slow release formulation.

15. The method of stimulating turf growth by applying the composition of claim 14 to a lawn care surface as a liquid or a component of a granulated fertilizer.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the acidified solution is maintained at a temperature between 25 and 100 degrees Centigrade until 70 percent or more of the glyoxal has reacted sufficiently with the urea to form water insoluble glycoluril particles and one or more nitrogen, phosphate and potassium plant nutrients are admixed with the glycoluril particles and the aqueous solution to form a complete liquid fertilizer.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein a suspending agent amounting to between 0.5 and 1.5 percent by weight is added to the glycoluril slow release formulation.

18. The method of stimulating turf growth by applying the composition of claim 17 to a lawn care surface as a liquid or a component of a granulated fertilizer.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the acidified solution at room temperature is mixed with one or more nitrogen, phosphate and potassium plant nutrients, suspending agent is incorporated at an amount to between 0.5 and 1.5 percent by weight and the glycoluril slow release particles are allowed to form at room temperature in storage tanks or containers to yield the desired fertilizer formulation.

20. The method of stimulating turf growth by applying the composition of claim 19 to a lawn care surface as a liquid or a component of a granulated fertilizer.