Microgels work by releasing nitrogen
and phosphorus (P) fertilizers over extended periods. This not only helps increase crop nutrition but can also reduce environmental impact.
“We have fabricated biopolymer-based microgels for slow release of N and fertilizers. They are cost-effective, bio-compatible and can undergo degradation in the soil, thus releasing the loaded fertilizers for a longer period,” D Garima Agarwal, assistant professor, School of Chemical Sciences, IIT Mandi, told IANS.
Biodegradable microgels will play an important role in food security, a growing area of concern as the global population heads toward a projected 10 billion by 2050.
Conventional N and P fertilizers lack efficiency and have low absorption rates – 30 to 50 percent and 10 to 25 percent, respectively.
Furthermore, while fertilizers are essential in providing nutrients to plants to improve crop yields, their effectiveness is often compromised by factors such as gaseous volatility and leaching.
These are not only expensive, but also pose a threat to human health along with groundwater and soil contamination.
“The microgel formulation is eco-friendly and biodegradable, as it is made from natural polymers. It can be applied by mixing it in the soil or spraying it on the leaves of plants. Recent studies with maize plants have shown that OU formulation significantly improves maize seed germination and overall plant growth compared to pure urea fertilizer. Dr Aggarwal said that continuous release of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers helps crops grow while cutting down on the use of fertilizers.
and phosphorus (P) fertilizers over extended periods. This not only helps increase crop nutrition but can also reduce environmental impact.
“We have fabricated biopolymer-based microgels for slow release of N and fertilizers. They are cost-effective, bio-compatible and can undergo degradation in the soil, thus releasing the loaded fertilizers for a longer period,” D Garima Agarwal, assistant professor, School of Chemical Sciences, IIT Mandi, told IANS.
Biodegradable microgels will play an important role in food security, a growing area of concern as the global population heads toward a projected 10 billion by 2050.
Conventional N and P fertilizers lack efficiency and have low absorption rates – 30 to 50 percent and 10 to 25 percent, respectively.
Furthermore, while fertilizers are essential in providing nutrients to plants to improve crop yields, their effectiveness is often compromised by factors such as gaseous volatility and leaching.
These are not only expensive, but also pose a threat to human health along with groundwater and soil contamination.
“The microgel formulation is eco-friendly and biodegradable, as it is made from natural polymers. It can be applied by mixing it in the soil or spraying it on the leaves of plants. Recent studies with maize plants have shown that OU formulation significantly improves maize seed germination and overall plant growth compared to pure urea fertilizer. Dr Aggarwal said that continuous release of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers helps crops grow while cutting down on the use of fertilizers.
