Two new plant nutrient nanocomposites based on urea coated hydroxyapatite: Efficacy and plant uptake

G P GUNARATNE; NILWALA KOTTEGODA; NADEESH MADUSANKA; IMALKA MUNAWEERA; CHANAKA SANDARUWAN; W M G I PRIYADARSHANA; ASITHA SIRIWARDHANA; B A D MADHUSHANKA; U A RATHNAYAKE; VERANJA KARUNARATNE

doi:10.56093/ijas.v86i4.57483

Authors

G P GUNARATNE Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206
NILWALA KOTTEGODA Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206
NADEESH MADUSANKA Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206
IMALKA MUNAWEERA Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206
CHANAKA SANDARUWAN Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206
W M G I PRIYADARSHANA Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206
ASITHA SIRIWARDHANA Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206
B A D MADHUSHANKA Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206
U A RATHNAYAKE Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206
VERANJA KARUNARATNE Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Mahenwatta, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka 10206

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v86i4.57483

Keywords:

Encapsulation, Nanocomposites, Plant nutrients, Slow release, Urea coated hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Abstract

Macronutrient delivery to plants, particularly nitrogen, is problematic because of losses occurring during fertilization. Currently, nanotechnology is being considered as a solution to improving nutrient use efficiency. In this study, we report the synthesis and plant uptake of two plant nutrient nanocomposites based on urea coated hydroxyapatite (UHA) and potassium encapsulated into (i) a nanoclay, montmorillonite (MMT) or (ii) cavities present in Gliricidia sepium stem resulting in a wood chip containing macronutrients. Soil leaching behaviour, efficacy and plant uptake of the nutrients were tested in a pot experiment using Festuca arundinacea during a period of 60 weeks. Two nanocomposites displayed slow release behaviour particularly for nitrogen, in soil leaching tests compared to the conventional formulations. Both nanoformulations displayed efficient plant nutrient uptake highlighting the improved nutrient use efficiency. These data clearly revealed that urea fabricated into its nanoscale provide platform for development of efficient fertilizer formulations.

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