Advances in obtaining slow-release biofertilizers and herbicides from the urea-formaldehyde matrix
Keywords:
urea-formaldehyde, slow release fertilizers, microalgae, sea plants, diuronAbstract
Introduction: One of the main challenges in agriculture is to improve production efficiency in a sustainable manner without causing negative impacts on the environment. The use of Controlled Release Technologies (CRT) represents a novel-scientific approach that allows the improvement of the performance of pesticides and fertilizers on the desired target, increasing their safety and efficacy. Objective: To obtain, characterize and study two biofertilizers and a slow-release herbicide from a urea-formaldehyde-based matrix.
Methods: It was carried out the synthesis of the products using the microencapsulation method by solvent extraction and evaporation. They were performed quantitative analyzes of macro and micronutrients. The products were characterized by different techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Nitrogen adsorption isotherm, scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis. In addition, they were carried out release profiles and field tests.
Results: The characterized products showed heterogeneous morphology with irregular surfaces. They are mesoporous, semi-crystalline and stable at room temperature. The interactions between the matrix and the principles are weak, which favors the release of nutrients. The release process matches internationally established requirements for slow-release materials used in agriculture.
Conclusions: They were obtained two biofertilizers and a slow-release herbicide from the urea-formaldehyde matrix using the microencapsulation procedure by solvent extraction and evaporation. With a single application of these products, they were achieved similar or superior agronomic parameters compared to conventional fertilizers, which need to be applied multiple times.Downloads
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