Development and Characterization of Polymer-Coated Slow-Release NPK Fertilizer Produced by High-Tower Technology
摘要
In this study, a slow-release NPK fertilizer was synthesized using high-tower granulation technology. The NPK granules were first coated with paraffin to create a smooth surface prior to polyurethane encapsulation. The properties of the coating were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and biodegradation tests.
Nutrient release behavior was evaluated in both water and soil under controlled conditions. After 60 days, the cumulative release rates of N, P, and K reached 95.28%, 95.86%, and 96.78% in water, and 84.05%, 96.78%, and 90.82% in soil, respectively. Nutrient release accelerated under higher temperatures and acidic conditions, but slowed under alkaline environments. Kinetic analysis indicated that the first-order model best described the release process. A field experiment conducted on sloping sugarcane land in Thanh Hoa using a randomized complete block design evaluated plant density, stalk weight, yield, and sugar-related parameters. Among the tested treatments, the application of 85% slow-release NPK fertilizer (CT3) showed the best performance, increasing cane yield by 16.8%, sugar content by 11.5%, and sugar yield by 30.4% compared with conventional fertilization. These results demonstrate that the developed fertilizer can improve nutrient use efficiency and crop performance, indicating its potential application in sustainable agriculture.