rexresearch.com
Maynard MURRAY
Seawater Agriculture
http://www.seaagri.com
Acres USA
July 2005
Remineralizating Soils for Optimum Elemental Balance
by
David Yarrow
Remineralization of our agricultural land and garden soils with
90-plus minerals is the goal of two lifelong advocates of
sustainable organic food production, Robert Cain and David Yarrow,
who were brought together by their common interest in the research
of Maynard Murray, M.D.
As most Acres U.S.A. readers are aware, Dr. Murray was a medical
doctor and research scientist who was troubled by the obvious
continual decline of American health and the subsequently
flourishing pharmaceutical industry. He searched for reasons, on
biological and chemical levels, as to why our bodies lose their
resistance to chronic illness and develop degenerative disease.
His studies led him to the sea, where, miraculously, cancer,
arthritis, arteriosclerosis and aging on a cellular level
seemingly did not exist. He discovered that sea life is sustained
in a balanced solution consisting of all 90-plus atomic table
elements. Murray observed that a cubic foot of seawater contains
considerably more living organisms than an equivalent amount of
soil.
Murray theorized that the apparent difference in disease
resistance and vitality between life on land and in the sea is due
to mineral deficiencies in our soil and food. He visualized an
endless cycle wherein continents rise from the sea rich with
minerals. The constant effects of climate — freezing, thawing,
rainfall, and erosion — combined with mankind’s historically poor
stewardship of the land and increasing acid rain cause topsoil
minerals to go into solution. These mineral solutions then enter
streams and rivers and subsequently flow into the sea. Murray
concluded that these minerals hold the key to human health.
Therefore, it made perfect sense to recapture them and restore
them to our soils.
Initially, he successfully experimented using diluted seawater on
soils and crops. Then he discovered that if water is totally
removed from pure, mineral-enriched seawater, 3.5 percent remains
as solids. He called these minerals “sea solids” and used them
exclusively, during many years of extensive research, on all
ranges of crops and soil types. Murray even developed a
specialized use of sea solids for hydroponics, and operated a
successful 13-acre hydroponic fresh-produce farm in southern
Florida. The results were consistently the same: the plants
flourished, matured more rapidly, were healthier, were more
disease and drought resistant, and produced outstanding taste
along with greater yields. In assays testing for nutrients, foods
grown with Murray’s sea solids had significantly more minerals
(ash content), vitamins (25 percent more vitamin C in tomatoes; 40
percent more vitamin A in carrots) and sugars. In addition, he
witnessed the same amazing results in all types of livestock and
poultry that were offered feed grown in soil enriched by his sea
solids. Physiologically, these animals were healthier, gained
weight more rapidly, and reached maturity sooner.
During his 30 years of research, Murray conclusively proved that
the proportions of trace minerals and elements present in pure
seawater are optimum for the growth and health of both land and
sea life. Additionally, he found that once these minerals and
trace elements are restored to the soil, reapplication is not
necessary for five or more years, given normal rainfall and
climatic conditions. Cain, under Dr. Murray’s direction, applied
these minerals to both soil and hydroponic food production, and
personally tasted and witnessed their outstanding effects.
Since creating sea solids by desalinization of seawater is very
costly, Murray searched the earth for the best source of sea
solids in their natural form. He required expansive tidal flats on
the banks of a mineral-rich, unpolluted sea in an arid region with
little or no rainfall. Prior to his death in 1983, he disclosed to
Cain the location he had found to be the purest.
Only recently, Cain and Yarrow have begun mining sea solids from
Murray’s source and distributing the product throughout North
America. Cain says he believes Dr. Murray discovered the true
“Fountain of Youth.” However, the fountain with its life-enhancing
properties is located not at a springhead where a stream or river
begins, but rather at the opposite end of the ecosystem, where it
empties into the sea.
Cain and Yarrow’s vision is to improve the quality of human health
through the food we eat by remineralizing the soil in which it is
grown. In their opinion, application of these extraordinary sea
solids with their 90-plus elements — the sea’s full spectrum of
minerals — to tired and depleted soils is the perfect solution.
They believe that as stewards of the land, it is our
responsibility to restore the mineral balance to soils and
subsequently the foods we ingest. Cain and Yarrow hope to convince
all stewards of the land to help sustain life on this planet by
remineralizing their soils and spreading the wisdom of sea energy
agriculture.
For more information on sea solids and the work of Robert Cain and
David Yarrow, contact
SeaAgri Inc., 4822 Kings Down Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30338
Phone (770) 361-7003
email <seaagri@bellsouth.net>
Maynard Murray
US Patent # 3,071,457
Process of Applying Sea
Solids as Fertilizer
Maynard R. Murray
This invention relates to the process of applying sea water solids
as a fertilizer. by sea solids we mean the inorganic salts that
are dissolved in the water; the term as it will be used in the
specification hereinafter does not include living organizms, plant
or animal, but means merely the salts that are dissolved, which
will include the salts of the various elements mentioned in this
application.
This invention relates more particularly to the use of sea solids
in certain proportions for different crop requirements.
This invnetion further contmeplates the use as a fertilizer of
complete sea solids mixed with nitrogenous compounds, the
proportions of each and the total amount of fertilizer depending
upon the type of crop which it is desired to raise and the
condition of the soil...
When one is confronted with so many variables, to obtain a plant
raised under optimum conditions seems to be almost impossible. It
was therefore decided by the author to obtain the elements from
sea water in the proportion that they occur there. The most
soluble salts found in the land should be found in the most
abundant supply in the sea. Sodium chloride is found in a much
greater concentration in the sea than are the various barium
salts. It is known that sodium chloride, per se, in great
concentrations, is toxic to plants. Therefore it was deemed
advisable to start with very low concentrations of sea water to
test their effect on plants. This was done in pot and plot
experiments, and it was found, after considerable experimentation,
that sea solids comprising 3-1/2% of sea water could be applied to
the soil in fairly great concentrations, without detriment to the
plants. The solids were obtained by evaporating the water
completely and leaving the elements in solid salt form.
The optimum amount found for most
grain and vegetable plants grown in the temperate zone of the
USA was from 550 to 2200 pounds per acre... The salt is first
ground in a burr mill before spreading. The hydroscopic nature
of the salt required that it be stirred from time to time as it
was being applied to ensure accurate spreading.
Oats, soy beans, grain and many varieties of garden vegetables
were grown on soil thus treated. In 1954. 1/4 acre of garden
vegetables were grown; 10 acres of treated and control corn have
been grown; 10 acres of treated oats along with 10 acres of
control oats were grown; also 3 acres of treated soy beans and 3
acres of control soy beans have been grown.
In my experiments to date, I have studied, or am in the process of
studying, various phases;
First, animals were fed a diet of 4 parts corn, 2 parts oats, and
1 part soy beans, all grown on land treated with sea solids. This
was to determine the effect of these grains on normal physiology
and pathology.
The rats fed on
the control, or untreated corn, oats, and soy beans, developed
xerapthaemia in 12 to 14 days. The rats fed on the experimental
feed did not show eye changes.
300 chickens were obtained from a local hatchery when one day old.
They were divided into 2 groups of 150 each. All were fed the
commercial concentrate, plus 4 parts of corn and 2 parts of oats.
The animals fed on the
experimental corn and oats matured approximately one month in
advance of the control. The experimental started to lay eggs 3
to 4 weeks earlier, and the eggs weighed 2 to 3 ounces more per
dozen in the experimental flock. Dressed experimental roosters
at 6 months of age weighed 1-1/2 lb more than the control, and
there was less food consumed per pound by weight gain in the
experimental chickens. There was a decided difference in the
skeletal structures of the experimental and control
chickens, as shown by x-ray.
Second, productivity. In oats, there was no manifest difference in
productivity; however, during the growing stage, just before the
oats headed, there was a marked difference in color. The
experimental lot was darker green, which was noticeable to the eye
and is also readily distinguishable in colored photographs. The
farmer who harvested this crop observed that the experimental plot
had many more rabbits, suggesting a taste difference. There was
also
an observable difference in
the amount of "rust" -- being much more prevalent in the control
plot. The ash weight showed a 1.1% increase in the experimental.
The second generation oats showed excellent germination and
production, although no further applications of sea solids were
put on the soil. Second generation oats were essentially "rust"
free.
In corn grown in 1952, the
treated plot yielded 19.6 bushels more per acre than the
control... In 1954, the experimental plot of corn yielded about
13 bushels more per acre than the control, the experimental plot
of corn yielded about 13 bushels more per acre than the control,
and the experimental showed an increase of 1.7% in ash weight.
The control soy beans yielded 8.87 bushels more per acre than the
experimental soy beans; however,
the
experimental
showed an increase of 14.6% in ash weight.
Second generation soy beans grew
larger and the production was slightly higher than the control.
There was also a 5.6% increase in ash weight in the
experimental, although no further applications of sea solids
were made.
The increase in ash weight of the
experimental garden vegetables over the control was a s follows:
Sweet potatoes 8.3%; onions 4.4%; tomatoes 18.7%.
Third, diseases in plants. There was a marked difference between
the treated and control plants in
"curly leaf" of peach trees, the treated tree being mcuh
freer of the disease. In blight of tomatoes, the treated plants
showed a marked difference in resistance to the disease. The
most phenomenal difference in plant diseases noted was in corn
smut, which showed 384% more smut in the control than in the
experimental. These figures are based upon the number of
observable galls counted on 4.9 acres in each plot.
Not only were the galls much less
numerous in the experimental, but they appeared smaller, and
fewer were on the ears. These same results were repeated on the
second generation corn without further application of sea solids
to the soil.
It is known that there are many acres of soil unfit for the growth
of garden peas. This is said to be due to an infection of the root
of the plant caused by
Aphanomyces
and Fusaria, the former being very specific for the pea
plant, and the latter having the ability to attack other hosts. In
greenhouse experiments,
I was
able to grow the pea plant to maturity in soil infested with
these two organisms with the addition of sea solids, using two
different varieties of peas. The control plants died at or near
the blooming stage.
"Center rot" in turnips is said
to be due to a staphylococcus infection. In 100 plants on
treated and control soil, there was an incidence of center rot
in 30 of the control, and none in the experimental.
Fourth, it was also decided to test the effect of sea solids on
the pH of the soil. The ordinary garden beet was used as an
indicator plant. In acid soil, this plant is supposed to germinate
and put forth two leaves which seemingly are healthy. The second
pair of leaves, however, usually die and the plant will not grow
to maturity if the soil is too acid. I obtained soil with a pH of
4.
After the addition of my sea
solids, I found that the pH decreased slightly, but later
returned to its original value. I planted beets and
radishes in this soil treated with sea solids and was able to grow
them to maturity. I feel that so-called sour soil is deficient,
and most probably not deficient in calcium alone; that the pH
itself is not the determining factor as to whether or not the
ordinary varieties of plants found in this climate will grow.
Radishes were grown in treated soil
with a pH of 4. Beets, a sour soil indicator, grew beyond the
third and fourth leaf.
Observations -- A number
of observations made during these experiments have been recorded
for their possible significance. Sheep ignored a field of
untreated hay to get to a ten foot square patch of treated hay,
indicating a
taste difference.
Also, experimental stalks of corn were marked with tape, and mixed
with control corn. Cattle and sheep would nuzzle through the corn
to pick out the experimental stalks, again indicating a taste
difference. The farmer who harvested the oats noticed noticed that
the experimental oats attracted more rabbits and grasshoppers. A
taste difference was also noted in garden vegetables. Onions and
radishes were sweeter than the control vegetables. There was
also a difference in the taste of lettuce, green beans and
carrots.
In apples and grapes,
vitamin A and Vitamin C were found in greater quantity in the
experimental crop. The experimental grapes were higher in sugar
content...
Summary -- The list of
elements found to be important in the normal development and
health of plants and animals has increased steadily over the
years. The problem has icnreased steadily over the years. The
problem has been made even more complex by the discovery that the
availability of an element to the plant may be dependent upon the
presence or absence of other elements in the soil. The experiments
of this report are based on three hypotheses:
1 -- That all of the elements may be important in polant and
animal physiology.
2 -- That the elements should be added to the soil in the exact
proportion and balance as they are found in sea water, including
the sodium chloride, This is based on the assumption that the
solubility of an element determines its rate of leaching from the
soil, and the amount of it found in sea water,
3 -- That most animals need to have the inorganic elements hooked
up by plants for proper utilization.
Tolerance experimetns indicated that the amount of complete sea
solids ( including sodium chloride ) that could be added to
mid-western and eastern soils ranged from 550 to 2200 pounds per
acre.
As a specific illustration of the use of sea solids as a
fertilizer, an experiment was conducted in recent months on
tomatoes, with the following results :
It will thus be noted that 1100 lb per acre of the fertilizer is
about the proper amount for the best growth of tomatoes.
Complete sea solids are obtained by drying sea water obtained from
any ocean to complete dryness. The end product contains all
elements soluble in water or saline solution, as found in sea
water...
To one ton of these sea solids, ground in a burr mill, I have
added:
80 to 800 lb of ammonium nitrate
pellets or crystals; or
100 to 1100 lb of ammonium
sulfate; or
50 to 400 lb of urea.
The range of these nitrogenous compounds is accounted for by the
fact that different crops require different amounts of N in
proportion to sea solids. Tolerance experiments with this mixed
fertilizer have indicated that from 550 to 2200 lb per acre can be
used on field crops, fruits and vegetables.
I have varied the above process in the following ways: I have used
sea water with the same proportion of elements described above,
mixed with proportional amounts of nitrogenous compounds. Also, I
have applied the sea solids to the land first, and then applied
the nitrogenous compound afterward.
As hereinbefore described, crops grown on soil fertilized with the
above-described fertilizer have been analyzed for ash weight,
vitamins and elements; and production has been noted. The results
indicate an increase in ash weight, vitamins, number and
proportion of elements, yield and resistance to plant disease.
Animals have been fed products grown on fertilized soil with a
stimulus in growth and improvement in bone and tissue structure.
Thus it can be seen that the beneficial results of controlled use
of sea solids or sea solids mixed with nitrogenous compounds are
readily apparent. From experiments described herein, it is
apparent that equally beneficial results will be obtained by the
controlled use of sea solids in the growth of other grains,
vegetables and fruits.
In this discussion I have used the range of 550 to 2200 lb per
acre as applied to midwestern or eastern soils. Also, the crop to
be raised on the land determines the amount to be used.
It will be noted that 2200 lb per
acre increased the production of corn, made no difference in
production of oats, and decreased the production of soy beans.
Therefore, soy beans should have no more than 1100 lb per acre.
Garden vegetables that were outlined in the discussion above had
2200 lb, all with the same production as untreated vegetables.
When 550 lb are applied, I apply
that amount each year for 4 years. The amount of 2200 lb, when
applied at once, and 550 lb, when applied each year for a period
of 4 years, will last, on soil with ordinary drainage, for a
period of 5 years. I analyze the soil to see when sea
solids should be applied again...
USP #
3,250,606
Nutrient Sea-Solids Solution for Hydroponic Farming
...In one set of experiments, crops of beans, tomatoes and
cucumbers were grown in 32 hydroponic beds in accordance with the
method illustrated in Figure 2. The seeds were sprouted in a
dilute solution of aqueous sea-solids and transferred to the large
beds as seedlings approximately 4 inches high. Alternatively, the
plants can be grown directly from seeds without transplanting.
The growing plants were fed twice a
day using a nutrient solution made up by dissolving 116 lb of
complete sea-solids in 100,000 lb water, i.e., 9.3 lb / 1000 gal
water. full production was achieved in about 100 days.
Preferably, the concentration of sea-solids in the nutrient
solution employed should not exceed about 8000 ppm by weight.
While some growth can be achieved using more dilute solutions, in
general it will be necessary to use solutions of sea-solids
containing at least about 1000 ppm. Solutions of greater than
about 8000 ppm tend to retard the plants in a manner similar to
that observed with the over application of conventional
fertilizers, and generally should not be employed.
In the manner described above, various crops including wheat,
oats, radishes, carrots, turnips, beets, tomatoes, corn,
strawberries, onions, and the like, have been grown successfully
with nutrient solutions comprising fresh water containing
containing in the range of about 1000 to 8000 ppm of dissolved
complete sea solids. These results are all the more surprising in
view of the comparative experiments which have been made using
solutions containing equivalent amounts of sodium chloride only.
Here, it was observed, that dissolved sodium chloride solutions
are definitely toxic to plants but that solutions of complete
sea-solids, even though they contained the same quantity of
dissolved sodium chloride, which when used alone was toxic, can be
used beneficially as a nutrient solution for the growing plants.
If desired, conventional nitrogenous fertilzer materials and
inorganic salts can be employed together with diluted sea water,
or with a dilute solution of complete sea-solids in conventional
concentrations. For example, in similar experiments described
above, about
200 ppm of
K-nitrate sucessfully was employed for each 1000 ppm of complete
sea solids. Surprisingly, however, direct supplementary
nitrogenous fertilizer is not required with sea-solid nutrient
solutions as the hydroponic beds can be inoculated with
azabactor which is nourished well in nutrient solutions
comprising sea-solids and has the ability to fix sufficient
nitrogen out of the air. One method of supplying azobacter
bacteria to the hydroponic beds is to flow the nutrient solution
through a bed containing a legume crop such as beans where the
nutrient solution can come in contact with the nodules on the
roots of the legumes. Alternatively, bean crops, or other
legumes can be grown in hydroponic beds interspersed with other
beds connected in series so that an adequate supply of azabacter
is assured...
