Worldwide increased food requirements and challenges with existing fertilizers are affecting the environment negatively. With each application of traditional NPK fertilizers, most soluble N and P fails to reach the intended target and demands repetitive application of fertilizers for acceptable crop yield. To reduce the environmental impact of traditional fertilizers, we are combining benefits of nanotechnology by developing biodegradable polymer nanocomposites and nanocellulose hydrogels for controlled release and targeted delivery of nutrients. In initial greenhouse studies with tomato, polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) containing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and calcium phosphate nanoparticles were shown to produce equivalent tomato vegetive growth and fruit quality as compared to conventional phosphorus amendments but exhibited an 80% reduction in P loss from the soil. Furthermore, we also studied response of different conventional P fertilizers, calcium pyrophosphate, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with and without PHA nanocomposites. We observed reduced P loss, efficient P uptake, and slow release of P with PHA nanocomposites of calcium phosphate dibasic, hydroxyapatite, and calcium pyrophosphate nanoparticles. In another study, we immersed nanocellulose hydrogel beads in NPK solution and coated with beeswax or densified with maleic anhydride. Water release profile suggest nanocellulose based NPK fertilizers show less loss of nutrients and enhance efficiency. Collectively these strategies show great potential for more sustainable nutrient delivery and use in agriculture

Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites for controlled P release and nanocellulose hydrogels for efficient delivery of NPK fertilizers

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