Thermal post-treatment alters nutrient release from a controlled-release fertilizer coated with a waterborne polymer

Abstract

Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) use a controlled-release technology to enhance the nutrient use efficiency of crops. Many factors affect the release of nutrients from the waterborne polymer-coated CRF, but the effects of thermal post-treatments remain unclear. In this study, a waterborne polyacrylate-coated CRF was post-treated at different temperatures (30 °C, 60 °C, and 80 °C) and durations (2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h) after being developed in the Wurster fluidized bed. To characterize the polyacrylate membrane, and hence to analyze the mechanism of nutrient release, Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy were employed. The nutrient-release model of CRF post-treated at 30 °C was the inverse “L” curve, but an increased duration of the post-treatment had no effect. The nutrient-release model was “S” curve and nutrient-release period was enhanced at higher post-treatment temperatures, and increased post-treatment duration lengthened slowed nutrient release due to a more compact membrane and a smoother membrane surface as well as a promoted crosslinking action. CRF equipped with specified nutrient-release behaviors can be achieved by optimizing the thermal post-treatment parameters, which can contribute to the development and application of waterborne polymer-coated CRF and controlled-release technologies.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of a Novel Biochar-Based Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer with Enhanced Water-Retention Capacity

“…These detailed data were obtained under sufficient water conditions, which indicated that the retaining ability of water was marginal, and that consequently, the improved crop production can be ascribed to the fact that BSRFs could effectively control the loss of fertilizer nutrients and thus improve the retaining ability of nutrients, which enable BSRFs to continuously supply sufficient fertilizer nutrients for the growth of cotton, and thus contribute to cotton growth. 1,36 Furthermore, BC embedded into BSRFs can create favorable habitats for soil microorganisms, while also providing some other nutrients for plants, all of which was conducive to cotton plant growth. Furthermore, total N-use efficiencies of the cotton plants fertilized with NH 4 Cl, N-BC, and BSRFs were 35.75%, 49.17%, and 64.27%, respectively.…”

“…Fertilizers are the fundamental factor for agriculture production both in quality and quantity. With an increasing world population and diminishing arable land, it is necessary to employ larger quantities of chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), to meet the global food demands. − N is the most widely applied nutrient for good soil fertility and plant growth, although the utilization efficiency is only about 30–40% . High N losses via ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching, and nitrous oxide emissions lead to a low efficiency, large economic losses, and adverse environmental impacts, while also constraining sustainable agricultural development. ,, The use of slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) is a promising strategy which can simultaneously improve N utilization efficiency and reduce environmental impact.…”

Biopolymeric Nanocarriers for Nutrient Delivery and Crop Biofortification

“… 30 The N-release profile (biochar nitrogen fertilizer (BNF-2), biobased biochar nitrogen fertilizer (BBNF), and BCRNF) following a parabolic diffusion model indicates that the release involves a combination of dissolution, adsorption, and diffusion processes. 31 As revealed from SEM based microstructure analysis of biochar+urea (B+U), postnutrient release in water results in a smooth and strongly networked surface morphology with microholes ( Figure 4 a). However, an undulating and coarse surface was evident for BCRNF including nanoscale rough bulges ( Figure 4 b).…”

Recent developments in nanotechnology transforming the agricultural sector: a transition replete with opportunities

“…Applications of nanotechnology as a plant nutritional mediator in the form of modern nanofertilisers are referred to as controlled release fertilisers (CRFs). CRFs designed for controlling nutrient release behaviours that rely on thermal post‐treatment parameters, can enhance the nutrient use efficiency of crops . Yet, soil temperature‐dependent CRFs need to be comprehensively monitored with different crops to obtain reliable data regarding release characteristics and duration of nutrient release.…”

“…CRFs designed for controlling nutrient release behaviours that rely on thermal post-treatment parameters, can enhance the nutrient use efficiency of crops. 186 Yet, soil temperature-dependent CRFs need to be comprehensively monitored with different crops to obtain reliable data regarding release characteristics and duration of nutrient release. An increase in temperature, from 20 to 40 ∘ C, was shown to differentially increase the rate of release of various nutrients from a polymer-coated CRF, such that nitrogen release into the water was rapid in comparison to potassium, whereas phosphate was significantly slower.…”