Sustainable agriculture: Agronomic evaluation of controlled-release fertilizers and development of improved-efficiency formulations

• Grant number: 25/10900-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Soil and Water Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Claudinei Fonseca Souza
• Grantee: Claudinei Fonseca Souza
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Roselena Faez

Abstract

The increasing intensification of agriculture has led to greater dependence on soluble chemical inputs, resulting in environmental and economic impacts that compromise the sustainability of production systems. Aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 2 ("Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture"), this project aims to develop and evaluate more efficient and environmentally responsible nutrient technologies for the soilless cultivation of Capsicum chinense "Maria Bonita" (biquinho pepper) under protected conditions.Two distinct and complementary experiments will be conducted. The first experiment will assess the agronomic performance of a commercial controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), applied according to the manufacturer's recommendations, in comparison to conventional fertigation. This study will provide physiological and yield data to serve as a reference for the development of more advanced nutrient release technologies.Based on these results, a second experiment will be carried out to investigate the effects of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers (EEFs), formulated from monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and potassium nitrate (KNO¿), incorporated into biodegradable matrices of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and thermoplastic starch (TPS). The formulations will be produced using spray drying and internal mixing techniques, and their nutrient release will be previously characterized in aqueous media. Treatments will include different EEF application strategies (single and split applications), as well as a fertigation control.Variables related to plant growth, fruit yield and quality, chlorophyll index, and foliar composition will be evaluated to allow comparison between the proposed technologies. This project aims to contribute to scientific and technological advancements in the field of sustainable fertilizers, promoting management alternatives with lower environmental impact, higher nutrient use efficiency, and potential applicability in intensive agricultural systems. (AU)