C05G - Definition 
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Materials affecting the growth of plants solely by supplying nutrients ordinarily required for growth or materials which are used to prevent or cure mineral deficiencies in plants as listed below
Mixtures of fertilisers covered individually by different subclasses of class C05, e.g., superphosphates with ammonium nitrate, Thomas phosphate with potassium compounds, alkali or ammonium orthophosphates with ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrate with limestone or calcium carbonate, ammonium sulfate with potassium compounds or fertilisers containing plant vitamins or hormones with fertilisers containing potassium from minerals or volcanic rocks.
Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with materials not having a specifically fertilising activity, e.g., pesticides, soil conditioners, wetting agents, nitrification inhibitors or superabsorbent polymers.
Fertilisers characterised by their form, e.g., granules, spikes or tablets.
Preparation, treatment or modification of any of the materials above: e.g., by chemical means (e.g. addition of stabilisers, preservatives), physical means (e.g., irradiation, concentration, purification, separation) or combination of both chemical and physical means, with the proviso that the resultant product is proper for classification in this subclass
Methods of preparing fertiliser mixtures of the above subclass in general
Relationship between large subject matter areas
In contrast to fertilisers (C05), plant growth regulators (A01N) are those materials which alter a plant through chemical modification of plant metabolism, for example auxins.
Soil-conditioning materials or soil-stabilising materials are classified in C09K 17/00 and covers mixtures of soil-conditioning materials or soil-stabilising materials with fertilisers where the composition in question is characterised by the soil-conditioning or soil-stabilising properties.
Mixtures of soil-conditioning materials or soil-stabilising materials with fertilisers where the composition in question is characterised by the fertilising activity are classified in C05G
Whilst the subject matter of C05G deals with mixtures of fertilisers per se, A01C 3/00 deals with methods of treating manure/methods of manuring per se and A01C 21/00 deals with methods of fertilising per se.
Apparatus relevant to the subclass C05 (if no specific entry for apparatus is provided, e.g., - C05B 1/10 apparatus for the manufacture of superphosphates) are to be classified in the place dealing with the process, otherwise in the place dealing with the products as such.
Additionally, individual or specific types of apparatus can be classified in the relevant area of the IPC, e.g., F26B 17/00
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Organic fertilisers containing added bacterial cultures, mycelia or the like | C05F 11/08 |
Organic fertilisers containing plant vitamins or hormones | C05F 11/10 |
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Harrows with means for distributing fertilisers | A01B 25/00 |
Fertiliser distributors | A01C 15/00 |
Mowers combined with dispensing apparatus, e.g., for fertilisers | A01D 43/14 |
HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS, OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING | A01G |
Root feeders; Injecting fertilisers into the roots | A01G 29/00 |
Processes or devices for granulating materials, in general | B01J 2/00 |
Soil-conditioning or soil-stabilising materials | C09K 17/00 |
Special rules of classification
Note(s)
1. An ingredient in a mixture of fertilisers, or a single fertiliser which contains more than one of the chemical elements on which the subdivision into subclasses is based, is classified only in the first of the appropriate subclasses. Thus, a nitrophosphate or an ammoniated superphosphate is classified in C05B but not in C05C, magnesium phosphate is classified in C05B but not in C05D, and calcium cyanamide in C05C but not in C05D.
2. Any ingredient in a mixture, which is considered to represent information of interest for search, may also additionally be classified according to Note (1). This can, for example, be the case when it is considered of interest to enable searching of mixtures using a combination of classification symbols. Such non-obligatory classification should be given as "additional information".
Glossary of terms
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
| Fertiliser | Natural or artificial substance containing the chemical elements that improve growth and productiveness of plants. |
Synonyms and Keywords
In patent documents the following terms "Agricultural chemical", "Plant food", "Amendment" and "Fertiliser" are often used as synonyms. Also, these terms can be used as keywords.
In patent documents the expression "enrichment" is often used with the meaning of "fertiliser".