Incorporation of biochar and semi-interpenetrating biopolymer to synthesize new slow release fertilizers and their impact on soil moisture and nutrients availability.

ABSTRACT: Chemical fertilizers (CFs) are indispensable nutrients source for plants replenishing them with essential nutrients. However, their over-utilization imposed destructive consequences of excessive loss of major nutrients resulting in low nutrient use efficiency and further environmental concerns. Therefore, to counter excessive application of CFs and to regulate sustainable agriculture, a novel biochar (BC)-based slow-release fertilizer (SRF) was developed by incorporating mica (MI) and semi-interpenetrating chitosan polymer (Semi-IPN) via graft co-polymerization. Fabricated SRFs were characterized and their nutrient release dynamics as well as soil water holding (WH) and water retention (WR) capacity were investigated. The results revealed that BC-based SRFs, particularly BC-SRF and BCMI-SR

SUBMITTER: Rafique MI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11923130 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature