Controlling nitrogen migration through micro-nano networks

Abstract

Nitrogen fertilizer unabsorbed by crops eventually discharges into the environment through runoff, leaching and volatilization, resulting in three-dimensional (3D) pollution spanning from underground into space. Here we describe an approach for controlling nitrogen loss, developed using loss control fertilizer (LCF) prepared by adding modified natural nanoclay (attapulgite) to traditional fertilizer. In the aqueous phase, LCF self-assembles to form 3D micro/nano networks via hydrogen bonds and other weak interactions, obtaining a higher nitrogen spatial scale so that it is retained by a soil filtering layer. Thus nitrogen loss is reduced and sufficient nutrition for crops is supplied, while the pollution risk of the fertilizer is substantially lowered. As such, self-fabrication of nano-material was used to manipulate the nitrogen spatial scale, which provides a novel and promising approach for the research and control of the migration of other micro-scaled pollutants in environmental medium.

Effect of Drip Fertigation on Potato Productivity with Basal Application of Loss Control Fertilizer in Sandy Soil

“…As expected, LCF improved available nutrients for crops, increased crop yield and fertilizer use efficiency and reduced labour and energy costs (Qiu et al ., ; Feng et al ., ; Zhou et al ., ; Liu et al ., ). Compared with traditional fertilizer with equal nutrition, LCF can increase crop yield by more than 10% and decrease nutrient loss by 20–60% (Cai et al ., ). However, little is known about drip fertigation combined with the use of LCF for potato production in sandy soils.…”

“…Therein, the complex can self-assemble a micro/nano network via hydrogen bonds and molecular forces in the aqueous phase. Water and nutrients can be effectively combined and held in the networks and then retained around crop roots, thus reducing water and nutrient loss (Cai et al, 2014). Therefore, this fertilizer is defined as loss control fertilizer (LCF).…”

“…LCFs have been widely applied (on more than 3.4 × 10 6 ha) for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), maize (Zea mays L.) and other crops in China since 2006 (Cai et al, 2014). As expected, LCF improved available nutrients for crops, increased crop yield and fertilizer use efficiency and reduced labour and energy costs (Qiu et al, 2010;Feng et al, 2013;Zhou et al, 2015;Liu et al, 2016).…”

Controlling the Hydrolysis and Loss of Nitrogen Fertilizer (Urea) by using a Nanocomposite Favors Plant Growth

“…[9] In aC RF,t he release of nutrients is controlled by coatings of sulfur,p olymers, superabsorbents, biocomposites, and other substances to coincide with plant demand. [14] However,t he hydrolysis or releaseo fn itrogen was not ac oncern therein. Previously,w ed eveloped am ethod to control Nl oss by using an anonetwork, which was produced through the self-assembly of attapulgite (ATP) and polyacrylamide (PAM).…”

Effects of three types of soil amendments on yield and soil nitrogen balance of maize-wheat rotation system in the Hetao Irrigation Area, China

“…And the polymer skeleton with -COOH, -OH, and -NH 2 hydrophilic groups that have strong water retention capacities can adsorb large quantity of water (Kang et al, 2015). After polyacrylamide is applied into the soil, network structure formed by crosslinking of hydrophilic macromolecule allows N fertilizer molecules or ions such as NH 4 + -N and NO 3 − -N diffusion to enter (Kumar et al, 2011;Cai et al, 2014). Large molecules polymer molecules or ions can be wrapped into the internal network structure and activated by exchange adsorption, charge and chelating fixed way, thus being slowly released to soil (Cai et al, 2014;Yang et al, 2017).…”