BENGALURU: A mechanically stable, biodegradable, hydrophobic nano-coating material can enhance the nutrient use efficiency of chemical fertilizers by tuning them for slow release, thereby limiting their interaction with rhizosphere soil, water, and microbes, according to researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST).
This coating, made from nanoclay-reinforced binary carbohydrates, can reduce the recommended fertilizer dose while maintaining enhanced crop production, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) reported. INST is an autonomous institute under DST.
“For the past 50 years, as part of the Green Revolution, frequent chemical fertilizer applications have been used to maintain soil nutrients and increase plant productivity. However, frequent and excessive use poses a risk to global sustainable development. Researchers are continuously seeking ways to use fertilizers more efficiently,” DST stated.
INST scientists coated muriate of potash (KCl)—which fulfills 80% of potassium fertilizer needs—with binary carbohydrates, namely chitosan and lignin, using anionic clay as a reinforcement agent that promotes stable coordination bonds. The research was published in the journal Environmental Science: Nano.
“Researchers B.K. Sahu, K. Swami, N. Kapoor, A. Agrawal, S. Kataria, P. Sharma, P. Kundu, H. Thangavel, A. Vattakkuniyil, O.P. Chaurasia, and V. Shanmugam used the drum rotor method to coat the fertilizer uniformly and improve use efficiency,” DST stated.
The nanomaterial used for this uniform coating included nature-derived, low-cost materials like nano-clay, chitosan, and starch.