Biochemical composition: Protein — 1.5-2% Fat — 1.7-1.9% Resin — 3.7-4% Gluten — 65-67% Pentozanes — 21.5-23% Cinder — 0.7-1% Macro-/micronutrients — 0.25-0.35% Watersoluble substances — 5-5.5% Also a valuable amount of tanning substances, vitamin C and essential oils. Amino asid composition of pine nut shell protein cimbines 19 amino asids (including indespensable ones) it is characterized by elevated level of Glutamine. Pine nut shell is rich in trace elements and natural growths stimulants such as: calcium, potassium, iron, sodium , magnesium , manganese , zinc , copper , tin , vanadium , barium , titanium and others.
Crushing pine nut shell to a certain measure makes possible the combination of effects:
- stimulating micro flora improving physical parameters of soil (water air permeability).
Depositing pine nut shell into the soil 500 mm deep contributes to better aeration of the upper fertile layer. Significant amount of macro-/micro-nutrients and glucose makes pine nut shell essential for normal and healthy development of plants.
Siberians have been using pine nut shell for decades as natural fertilizer and mulch. Their gardens and farms have been benefitting from its valuable qualities. The use of pine nut shell in agronomy relates not only to its nutritional potential, being added in larger quantities it can be used as a natural alkali catalyst under the circumstances of poor alkali balance.
Organic mulch produced of pine nut shell protects plants from weed, maintains temperature and water balance. A few sorts of mulch are capable o protecting plants from fungal infections and insects, pine nut shell is one of them.
Using pine nut shell mulch provides:
- protecting root system form burning
- preventing soil from crusting (drying and solidification of upper layer)
- maintaining water balance by building a natural barrier in the way of direct sunlight.
- creating ideal conditions of reproduction for the earthworm and forming the appropriate micro flora at the root system.
- Optimizing micro-climate of the protected soil (thus avoiding erosion and improving water and vapor permeability).
Therefore pine nut shell can be utilized as bio-active granulate, organic fertilizer or mulch.
Containing lignin, phytoncides and flavonoids pine nut shell retains its qualities for the period of 2 years. Depending on the measure of granules a better balance of nutrients and water-/vapor permeability can be provided. The larger the granules the more «breathing» is the soil in your garden. Smaller granules deliver more nutrients. Both measures can be combined for the better result.
