| Grant number: | 15/14488-0 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | November 01, 2015 - April 30, 2018 |
| Field of knowledge: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry |
| Principal Investigator: | Ana Rita de Araujo Nogueira |
| Grantee: | Ana Rita de Araujo Nogueira |
| Home Institution: | Pecuária Sudeste. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Brasil). São Carlos , SP, Brazil |
| Assoc. researchers: | Alberto Carlos de Campos Bernardi ; Edenir Rodrigues Pereira Filho ; Joaquim de Araújo Nóbrega ; Manuel Antonio Chagas Jacinto |
Abstract
Fertilizer control by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply is done by accredited laboratories and is based on tested and validated methods. New materials are often introduced, creating the need for their analysis according to international standards, in order to the laboratories carry out adequate control of public health and product quality assurance. However, many of the present methods prove to be inadequate or incomplete, generating erroneous results, especially when it comes from non-conventional manufactured mineral or organic mineral fertilizers. Regulatory agencies often demand the development and validation of analytical methods for the characterization and control of products derived from industry and livestock, to evaluate the presence of nutrients and contaminants in effluents applied as fertilizer. Studies on the composting of organic waste (tanning with tannins), their soil disposition, and use as nutrient sources are still incomplete. The development of analytical methods is also demanded in studies of new forms of fertilizers activity, especially those of slow or controlled released fertilizers. The establishment of validated protocols for correct evaluation of this type of material is still necessary, as well as for the determination of potassium silicate rocks after stone meal procedures. Improvement or development and validation of sample preparation procedures and the spectrometric determination of essential elements and potentially toxic inorganic fertilizers and from tanning processes skins, and targeting large-scale applications in quality control laboratories are required. The training of human resources is also part of this proposal. There will be a constant discussion of the activities and results among team members, in the form of workshops with inspectors of LANAGRO and also with other researchers from Embrapa FertBrasil Network. The results will be presented at conferences and published in the form of regulations, research reports and scientific papers. With activities involving development and validation of analytical methods for the preparation and characterization of fertilizer samples, this proposal covers the control of products and environmental safety, and also aims to provide analytical information to meet the increasingly rigorous requirements of product quality, providing support to regulatory agencies. (AU)