Massive amounts of agriculture run-off water carrying a variety of contaminants are discharged by agricultural operations. Without proper disposal this situation can lead to alarming levels of water pollution. One possible approach to solve this problem is to discharge agricultural chemicals via controlled release formulations. This work explores the properties and performance characteristics of polysaccharide beads as reservoirs/carriers for controlled release of plant hormones. The beads were formulated with different types of low cost natural polysaccharides, including alginate, starch, cellulose powder, xylan, and nanocrystalline cellulose (NC). To improve their mechanical properties as well their plant hormones controlled release characteristics, kaolin and a positively charged polyelectrolyte, polyethylenimine (PEI) were incorporated into the beads. The sizes, swelling ratios, surface morphologies and mechanical strength of the beads were evaluated and the cumulative release of a model plant hormone, phenylacetic acid, was measured and related to the composition of the beads.

Controlled release of plant hormones for agricultural purposes

251st National Meeting (2016)

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