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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Distribution of nutrients from controlled-release polymers in sandy soil

Full text
Author(s):
Roselena Faez [1] ; Lucas Luiz Messa [2] ; Claudinei Fonseca Souza [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar). Centro de Ciências Agrárias - Brasil
[2] Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar). Centro de Ciências Agrárias - Brasil
[3] Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar). Centro de Ciências Agrárias - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Rev. Ciênc. Agron.; v. 55, 2024-03-08.
Abstract

ABSTRACT Techniques such as fertilization can be used more frequently to achieve higher crop yields. The problem of excessive use of fertilizers is related to losses of nutrients by leaching contaminating water bodies. Adopting controlled-release fertilizers may favor the reduction of losses and the total cost of fertilization as the number of applications is reduced. This research aimed to study the dynamics of nutrients from polymer-coated fertilizers (KNO3 controlled-release polymers) in sandy soil and analyze the spatial variation of soil solution storage at different depths when drip irrigation is adopted. Four soil boxes filled with Quartzipsamment and equipped with a mesh of 19 TDR probes were used to monitor soil moisture and electrical conductivity. Three soil boxes received the treatment of 50 g of the controlled-release polymer, and one soil box was used as a control. One liter of water was applied weekly through a drip irrigation system for ten weeks, followed by readings from the TDR probes to monitor the spatial variation of the soil solution storage in the soil profile. This monitoring allowed verifying that the release of nutrients happened slowly and gradually over the period without water retention by the material. The solution was displaced by advection (mass flow) and dispersion along with the irrigation water, which advanced more than the nutrients within the profile, reducing their leaching. Thus, controlled-release polymers maintained a slow and variable release over time. (AU)

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
FAPESP's process: 05/00906-3 - Study of the soil solution dynamics for drip irrigation design and management using Time Domain Reflectometry technique (TDR)
Grantee:Claudinei Fonseca Souza
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants