Plastic-free CRF (Controlled-release fertilizers) fabrication through alginate bead and its effect on the terrestrial ecosystem
발표자
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초록
내용
The current type of commercial controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) paradoxically accelerates breaking the balance of the environment as the outer membrane of CRF consists of non-degradable and petroleum-based plastics. Herein, we report a CRF inspired by biodegradable calcium alginate bead formation used in cuisine. A complex alginate CRF system for controlling fertilizer release was implemented by introducing poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and citric acid as additional crosslinking chemicals and humic acid as a physical barrier and chelating agent which can increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Urea was used as a representative fertilizer. The cultivation experiment of carrots was carried out following crop fertilization guidelines. We quantitatively estimated the amount of nitrogen that goes to the crops by tracking the nitrogen content of the leachate after irrigation. These results indicate that our fabricated complex alginate CRF can replace conventional CRF coated with plastic.