Role of Slow-Release Nanocomposite Fertilizers on Nitrogen and Phosphate Availability in Soil

Abstract

Developing efficient crop fertilization practices has become more and more important due to the ever-increasing global demand for food production. One approach to improving the efficiency of phosphate and urea fertilization is to improve their interaction through nanocomposites that are able to control the release of urea and P in the soil. Nanocomposites were produced from urea (Ur) or extruded thermoplastic starch/urea (TPSUr) blends as a matrix in which hydroxyapatite particles (Hap) were dispersed at ratios 50% and 20% Hap. Release tests and two incubation experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the role played by nanocomposites in controlling the availability of nitrogen and phosphate in the soil. Tests revealed an interaction between the fertilizer components and the morphological changes in the nanocomposites. TPSUr nanocomposites provided a controlled release of urea and increased the release of phosphorus from Hap in citric acid solution. The TPSUr nanocomposites also had lower NH3 volatilization compared to a control. The interaction resulting from dispersion of Hap within a urea matrix reduced the phosphorus adsorption and provided higher sustained P availability after 4 weeks of incubation in the soil.

Lignin improves release behavior of slow‐release fertilizers with high content of urea

“…Slow‐release urea fertilizers play an important role in improving the efficient use of this fertilizer by reducing the leaching losses of conventional urea. This decreases the frequency of fertilization, which mitigates environmental pollution and helps to foster sustainable agriculture . In view of the economic and environmental factors, abundant natural materials including lignin and montmorillonite (Mt) have been considered to be ideal carriers for slow‐release urea fertilizers.…”

Enhanced efficiency of phosphorus fertilizer in soybean and maize

“…Those fertilizers contain aggregate technologies that control the release of nutrients or stabilize their chemical transformations in the soil, increasing their availability to the plant. Such characteristics minimize the potential for nutrient losses to the environment when compared to conventional fertilizers (Urrutia et al, 2014;Giroto et al, 2017). This type of technology has long been used in nitrogen fertilizers, but its use in P fertilizers is small.…”

Safe nanotechnologies for increasing the effectiveness of environmentally friendly natural agrochemicals

“…Nanostructures from starch have been developed, leading to different results depending on the protocols, but mostly producing nanocrystals and amorphous nanoparticles . They have been used for delivering nucleic acids inside plant cells or producing slow release of insecticides and fertilizers through nanocomposites . This role of protection and slow release of the active components makes starch‐based nanodevices quite attractive for combination with natural compounds.…”