Created slow release fertilizers with better penetration into deeper soil balls
Brazilian scientists are opening up a new era in plant nutrition. Embrapa Florestas, part of the Embrapa agricultural research corporation, and Polli Fertilizantes Especiais, have developed innovative fertilizers and a methodology to unlock their full potential.
This is stated in the material futurefarming.com.
According to Tais Ramari, researcher at Polli Fertilizantes Especiais, scientists have already created a product that, compared to conventional mineral fertilizers, has better solubility, is more uniform and easier to distribute in the soil, penetrating even into its deep layers, which in general allows the components to more effectively affect the whole. plant root system.
One of the main design goals is to prevent potassium loss. According to Embrapa Florestas, in most cases, more than 90% of the fertilizer does not reach the plant roots due to phenomena such as evaporation, leaching and low uptake.
Scientists are studying eucalyptus cellulose, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate and alginate. The methodology for unlocking the potential of new fertilizers focuses on the use of a biodegradable polymer of nanoparticles, which will cover the batteries for their gradual release.
The use of Embrapa Floresta's nanoparticle methodology has the important goal of providing benefits that conventional fertilizers do not offer. In addition to the slow release of nutrients, the product can prevent potassium loss.
“This will make the fertilizer more stable. In addition, we will work with biodegradable raw materials. Therefore, our product will be fully compatible with agro-sustainable technologies,” said Francine Ceccon Claro, co-author of the study.
The release of fertilizers in a slow, gradual and controlled manner will allow to organize the delivery of nutrients at a certain speed, creating all the prerequisites for their availability to the crop for a long time.