CHITOSAN-CLAY HYBRID FOR ENCAPSULATION OF FERTILIZERS AND RELEASE SUSTAINED OF POTASSIUM NITRATE FERTILIZER

Author(s)

Lucas L. Messa ^[1] ; José Daniel Froes ^[2] ; Claudinei F. Souza ^[3] ; Roselena Faez ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Centro de Ciências Agrárias. Departamento de Ciências da Natureza, Matemática e Educação - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Centro de Ciências Agrárias. Departamento de Recursos Naturais e Proteção Ambiental - Brasil

^[3] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Centro de Ciências Agrárias. Departamento de Recursos Naturais e Proteção Ambiental - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Centro de Ciências Agrárias. Departamento de Ciências da Natureza, Matemática e Educação - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Química Nova; v. 39, n. 10, p. 1215-1220, 2016-12-00.

Abstract

The use of controlled release fertilizers is a trend for improving productivity, reducing costs and environmental pollution. Such materials release gradually the nutrients to the plant in order to supply its requirement and are an alternative to improve fertilization. The preparation of a microsphere from natural materials (chitosan and montmorilonite clay) added with nutrients, according to the needs of plants nutritional, is one of the main motivations of this work. The addition of lamellar silicates as natural clays is a promising alternative to increase water and chemical compounds sorption capacity. In the present chitosan/montmorilonite clay composites were prepared via inversion phase and thermal, structural and morphologically studies were performed. The release of the KNO3 was realized in water using conductimetry and time domain reflectometry technique was used to monitor the in situ release in soil. Double coated microspheres provide the better nutrient encapsulation and a swelling of 200% was observed. The release was influenced by pH and fast release was observed for pH 4 and 5.5. According to the soil tests a slow release was observed since the KNO3 delivery was accompanied during 60 days showing higher values in the first ten days and a constant value until 60 days. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/09045-0 - Chitosan-Clay hybrid materials for encapsulation of fertilizers: preparation and characterization of controlled release microspheres
• Grantee: Lucas Luiz Messa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 14/06566-9 - Hybrid polymers for nutrients release: preparation, characterization and in situ evaluation of nutrients release in the soil
• Grantee: Roselena Faez
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants