Formulation of a Hybrid Nanofertilizer for Slow and Sustainable Release of Micronutrients

Abstract

In this work, we have proposed a new formulation of a hybrid nanofertilizer (HNF) for slow and sustainable release of nutrients into soil and water. Urea-modified hydroxyapatite was synthesized, which is a rich source of nitrogen, calcium, and phosphate. Nanoparticles such as copper, iron, and zinc were incorporated into urea-modified hydroxyapatite to increase the efficiency of the proposed fertilizer. Different techniques including powder X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to get insight into the properties, morphology, and structure of the as-prepared fertilizer. The developed HNF was used in a field experiment on the ladies' finger (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i>) plant. The slow release of HNF was observed during leaching studies and confirmed the availability of Ca²⁺, PO₄ ^3-, NO^2-, NO^3-, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Zn²⁺. Furthermore, the presence of Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Zn²⁺ nutrients in ladies' finger was confirmed by the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) experiment. A considerable increase in the physicochemical properties such as swelling ratio and water absorption and retention capacities of the proposed fertilizer was observed, which makes the fertilizer more attractive and beneficial compared with the commercial fertilizer. The composition of the proposed HNF was functionally valuable for slow and sustainable release of plant nutrients. The dose of prepared HNF applied was 50 mg/week, whereas the commercial fertilizer was applied at a dose of 5 g/week to <i>A. esculentus</i>. The obtained results showed a significant increase of Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Zn²⁺ nutrient uptake in <i>A. esculentus</i> as a result of slow release from HNF.