Chemical strategies towards controlled release in agriculture

Abstract

With an increasing world population of nearly eight billion which is expected to expand towards nine billion by 2050, future food demands will rise unavoidably. Primary productivity of crop is at the center of the food and feed value chain. Excessive and low efficiency fertilization cause severe environmental and ecological problems, along with economic wastage. Next to fertilizers, also pesticides, plant growth regulators and other agrochemicals (e.g., stored animal manure and hormones) pose environmental issues and require specific technologies to ensure security of human health and the global ecosystem while increasing food productions. There is an agronomic, legal and environmental ‘demand’ to develop controlled release solutions to optimize agricultural practices. In this regard, (polymer) chemistry can offer a wide range of strategies to cope with the current issues related to biodegradation, overfertilization, pesticide use, efficient precision agriculture etc. through tailored material design allowing controlled active components release. Therefore, this review focusses on (polymer) chemical strategies to design controlled release systems in the agricultural industry, covering specifically the state-of-the-art from the past four years.

Current Knowledge, Research Progress, and Future Prospects of Phyto-Synthesized Nanoparticles Interactions with Food Crops under Induced Drought Stress

“…In conditions like less nutrient availability and uptake to plants in arid soils, encapsulated nutrients in nanoparticles are used to ensure their targeted delivery in the roots of plants. Regardless of the encouraging benefits of nanoparticles in the agricultural field, it is hard to consider their potential risks and effects on the environment [35,36]. Nanoparticles can interact with various microorganisms and beneficial insects.…”

Unveiling the Role of Polysulfide Matrices in Phosphate Diffusion for Controlled Release Fertilizers

“…Solubility control, for instance, can be promoted physically by incorporating the fertilizer in a matrix (i.e., forming a composite). 12 CRF matrices are mainly used as barrier layers to highly soluble compounds, reducing their exposition and delaying nutrient diffusion. 13−15 On the other hand, the inadequate efficiency of sources with low solubilities, like phosphate rocks, can also be addressed with a matrix system.…”

“…Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) are a group of smart fertilizers designed to deliver nutrients gradually, minimizing losses and environmental pollution. − These fertilizers can significantly improve nutrient use efficiency, regulating the supply to a delivery rate more synchronized with plants’ demands. Solubility control, for instance, can be promoted physically by incorporating the fertilizer in a matrix (i.e., forming a composite) . CRF matrices are mainly used as barrier layers to highly soluble compounds, reducing their exposition and delaying nutrient diffusion. − On the other hand, the inadequate efficiency of sources with low solubilities, like phosphate rocks, can also be addressed with a matrix system. , Even though dissolution can be simply improved with particle size reduction, powder fertilizers are not practical nor safe for field application and, therefore, matrices can serve as dispersing and carrier mediums for these smaller particles. ,, Giroto et al and do Valle et al demonstrated this multifunctional effect from composite matrices on fertilizers with contrasting solubilities. , …”