Manuscript accepted on : 16-08-2022
Published online on: 20-09-2022
Plagiarism Check: Yes
Reviewed by: Dr. Hasna Abdul Salam
Second Review by: Dr. Paramita Guha
Final Approval by: Dr. Ghulam Md Ashraf
G. N. V Mohan Raoand N. V. S Venugopal*
Department of Chemistry, GITAM School of Science, GITAM(Deemed to be University ) Visakhapatnam-530045, A.P, India.
Corresponding Author E-mail: vnutulap@gitam.edu
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/3031
ABSTRACT: In modern agriculture for receiving better crop yield and plant growth fertilizers are obligatory. Micronutrient support is very essential for balanced crop nutrition. For elevated crop yield the optimal nutrient supply is very much necessary and it is possible only the presence of micronutrient matrix. Minute quantities of micronutrients are required for better physiology of plant kingdom. The purpose of the study was to formulate a new Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer with five micronutrients mould. The author developed water soluble (100%) 15-15-15 grade fertilizer with 0.5%Zn,0.5%Mn,0.5%Fe, 0.5%Mg, 0.2%Mo as micronutrients support. The physical properties such as moisture,pH,conductivity ,critical relative humidity etc were studied and found superior as compared to the normal grade without micronutrient support. The presence of Chloride content in the soil diminishes the capacity of the plants to take up water and this results in leaf burn or drying of leaf tissues. The chloride content in the proposed fertilizer is 0.27%. Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer fortified with five-micronutrient matrix and its application for finest Plant augmentation shown unsurpassed results and more crop yield. The proposed fertilizer with multi micronutrient matrix shown enhanced physical properties as compared to available branded fertilizers.
KEYWORDS: Critical relative humidity; Chloride Content; Micronutrient Matrix; N-P-K fertilizer; Plant growth
Download this article as:
| Copy the following to cite this article: Rao G. N. V. M, Venugopal N. V. S. Formulation, Development and Characterization of an Eco-Friendly N-P-K Fertilizer with Multi Micronutrient Matrix. Biosci Biotech Res Asia 2022;19(3). |
| Copy the following to cite this URL: Rao G. N. V. M, Venugopal N. V. S. Formulation, Development and Characterization of an Eco-Friendly N-P-K Fertilizer with Multi Micronutrient Matrix. Biosci Biotech Res Asia 2022;19(3). Biosci Biotech Res Asia 2022;19(3). Available from: https://bit.ly/3dvAZwv |
Introduction
Fertilizers plays vital role in high yield production, crop growth. nutrients supplied to plant or crop are completely utilized due to several reasons including leaching through rains or due to usage of excess water for crops. Some of them are undergoing volatilizations also and it leads to environmental problems such as ground water pollution, green house gas emissions etc. Development of water soluble, slow-release, efficient, fertilizers have become very important. Simultaneously, the rapid development of fertilizer manufacturing has created new opportunities to feasibly obtain and use soluble, slow release fertilizers1. Water soluble fertilizers(WSF) were introduced in India in1990s. Up to 2005, their usage was very less. World population increasing day by day. To feed these population modern technologies required in Agricultural sector. WSF are more efficient than traditional fertilizer to balance this factor2.
Water soluble fertilizers (WSFs)
WSFs dissolve completely in water. WSFs having low salt index and they do not show adverse effect on plant tissues3. WSFs are suitable for both foliar and fertigation process. WSFs are mostly used in drip irrigation. The WSFs applied through drip irrigation (Fertigation) and foliar application enhances the nutrient use efficiency, uptake efficiency and uptake speed of the nutrients contained therein. right fertilizer application in the right time will give more benefits and good yield4-5. These are mostly combination of N, P , K Ca & Mg & S with micronutrients with different ratios. The applied fertilizers are not fully utilized by the plants and due to this reason the uptake of necessary nutrient elements becomes difficult for the plant. Based on the reports & investigations available, use of water soluble fertilizers recorded the highest growth rates6. The growth control and quality of crop are based on effective Fertilizer management. It lessens the ground water pollution which causes ecological disturbances and health risks by fertilizer leaching and accumulation of nitrates. Water soluble fertilizers through fertigation resulted in higher yield7-8.
Nutrients are applied along with the irrigation water and opens new possibilities for controlling water and nutrient supplies to crops besides maintaining the desired concentration and distribution of water and nutrients to the soil9-10. The fertilizer absorption takes place through the stomata of the leaves and also through the epidermis.
A small amount of nutrients from dilute solutions sprayed on to the leaves in plants due to absorption11. Many investigations in this field are proved that the application of inorganic fertilizers can be reduced up to 15% with application of foliar grade water soluble fertilizer12-13.Water soluble fertilizers and inorganic fertilizers tested foliar application of 7 sprays of NPK (19:19:19) along with the 100%application of inorganic fertilizer (200:150:100 kg NPK ha-1) recorded the highest growth parameters in Brinjal. The application of foliar NPK fertilizers at 125% resulted in a remarkable increase in the all investigated parameters of corn plants14.
Role of micronutrient
To increase the yield, excess amount of NPK fertilizers are used, which leads to depletion of micronutrients. Micronutrients role is very important as slight excess or deficit may depression in yields, and it effects the nutritional balance in human beings15-16. The different micronutrients are required in different quantities at different levels of plant growth. Zn, B, Fe, Mn, Mo, Cu and Mg are considered as micronutrients. These affects formation of flower, viable seed, floral and grain formation. crop yield losses and human health problem observed due to deficiency of Zn & Fe deficiency. Low concentrations of micronutrients are required by plants17. Application of micronutrients through foliar spray was found more beneficial than the soil application for oilseed crops18. Nutrient based subsidy and soil health card has been encouraged rationalized nutrient use.
Micronutrient management is important for crop, livestock and human equally . Most of the places in India, Zn and B, were observed in most of the soils in our country, especially under intensive agriculture. Micronutrients are not only important for better crop productivity but are also essential for sustaining human and animal health due to range between deficiency and toxicity limits of micronutrient in soil and it is narrow for most of the crops19.
The intensive cultivation and imbalance of nutrients use in last four decades shown the deficiency of micronutrients have developed in addition to N, P and K.Therefore micronutrient support is essential to achieve better crop yield and quality of crops.
Materials and Methods
Table 1: Selected micronutrients
|
Metal |
Role |
|
Zinc |
Essential for reproductive growth of plants and low supply of Zn results in reduced size of anther, poor pollen producing capacity, reduced pollen size and its viabilityZn deficiency recorded world wide ranging from 4 to 73% in various countries. . |
|
Iron |
Iron is a part in PSI, Ferrodoxin & various metabolic enzymes. Ferrodoxin and chlorophyll content was lower in iron deficient leaves when compared with normal leaves. Iron plays an important role in the electron transfer chain respiration and photosynthesis, however it becomes toxin when accumulated at higher level. Oxidation- reduction processes in soil are one of the important determinants of the iron availability by conversion of Fe (III) to Fe (II). |
|
Manganese |
Active role in oxidation and reduction process and activator of many enzymes in plants. . Manganese deficiency mostly observed in calcareous soils, soils with high pH & soils with poor aeration. Mn deficiency leads to reduction in the efficiency of photosynthesis20. It also affects plant growth and development. The metal is an essential cofactor for the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of the photosynthetic machinery, catalysing the water-splitting reaction in photosystem II (PSII). The behavior of manganese is similar to iron in terms of its deficiency under upland and coarse textured soils and toxicity in the reduced conditions. Mn supply through foliar application is very effective21. Mn deficiency resulting in inferior pollen tube growth. Moreover, under Mn deficiency, alterations of another enzymes and reductions of their efficacies affect development of reproductive tissues. |
|
Magnesium
|
Optimal plant growth and productivity through CO2 assimilation22. Mg released from soil minerals is not sufficient for high crop yield and quality. Mg is very mobile in soils resulting leads to higher risk of leaching23. Mg is required for photosynthesis, glycolysis. It promotes operation of photosynthetic rings and photosynthesis24. |
|
Molybdenum |
vital for the process of symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation by Rhizobia bacteria in legume root modules. Molybdenum forms the essential component of nitrate reductase enzyme and nitrogenase, thus required for N metabolism. In wheat, molybdenum starvation was also shown to reduce maximum NR activities (lower potential VMAX) irrespective of the regulatory control of NR by light and dark periods. Molybdenum promotes fixation of nitrogen and also improves the Phosphorus uptake by plants. Lower Erucic and eicosenoic acid content were reported in Indian mustard with application of Molybdenum @ 4kgha-1 when compared to control. Molybdenum is the least found micronutrient in the lithosphere. |
An 100%WSF with five micronutrients (15-15-15-2.8S with 0.5%Zn,0.5%Mn,0.5%Fe, 0.5%Mg, 0.2%Mo) was made and checked. The raw materials used are given in Table 2.
Table 2: Raw materials used for the study.
|
S.No |
Materials |
Molecular formula |
|
1 |
Ammonium sulphate(AS) |
(NH4)2SO4 |
|
2 |
Mono ammonium phosphate(100% water soluble)(MAP) |
NH4H2PO4 |
|
3 |
Urea |
NH2CO NH2 |
|
4 |
Potassium nitrate |
KNO3 |
|
5 |
Chelated Zinc |
Zn EDTA |
|
6 |
Ferrous sulphate |
FeSO4. 7H2O |
|
7 |
Magnesium sulphate |
MgSO4 .6H2O |
|
8 |
Manganese sulphate |
MnSO4. 1H2O |
|
9 |
Ammonium molybdate |
(NH4)6 Mo7O24 . 4H2O |
The above raw materials were analyzed by using Fertilizer control order(FCO) methods and accordingly final product formulation was prepared. Calibrations were done to all instruments used(given in table 4) for the analysis. All solutions were standardized as per FCO. Each parameter analyzed twice to conform the contents and average was taken as final result given in table3.
Table 3: The analysis results of the raw materials.
|
Material |
Parameter |
Result |
|
(NH4)2SO4 |
%Ammoniacal Nitrogen as N |
20.2 |
|
%Sulphate sulphur as S |
23.2 |
|
|
NH4H2PO4 |
%Ammoniacal Nitrogen as N |
11.5 |
|
% water soluble Phosporous as P |
60.2 |
|
|
Urea |
%Urea nitrogen as N |
46.1 |
|
KNO3 |
% water soluble potassium as K2O |
44.5 |
|
% Nitrate nitrogen as N |
12.5 |
|
|
Zn EDTA |
%Zn |
12.1 |
|
MnSO4. 1H2O |
%Mn |
30.5 |
|
FeSO4. 7H2O |
%Fe |
19.3 |
|
MgSO4 |
%Mg |
19.5 |
|
(NH4)6 Mo7O24 . 4H2O |
%Mo |
52 |
Table 4 : Instrumentation.
|
Instrument |
Make |
model |
Purpose |
|
ICP –OES |
Perkin elmer |
Optima 7000DV |
To check Mn and Mo |
|
Segmented flow analyzer |
Skalar |
SAN++ |
To check N, P |
|
Hot air oven |
Tempo |
TI 175 |
For gravimetric drying |
|
Weighing balance |
Sartorius |
BSA 225, BSA3202 |
For weighing |
Preparation of proposed grade fertilizer:
All the raw materials are grounded to fine powder individually and dried. after drying the materials are stored in polythene bottles to avoid moisture penetration. Triplicate mixtures were prepared by taking the weights of components as mentioned in table 5.
The above quantities are mixed properly and grounded finely in the mixer @ 8000rpm. Prepared mixtures are dried to remove surface moisture gained in the preparation. Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium with five micronutrient fertilizer product was revealed in figure1.
Table 5: weights of material taken for preparation.
|
Material |
Quantity in grams |
|
AS |
17.2 |
|
MAP |
25.3 |
|
Urea |
12.06 |
|
Potassium nitrate |
33.96 |
|
Chelated Zinc |
4.17 |
|
Ferrous sulphate |
2.70 |
|
Magnesium sulphate |
2.56 |
|
Manganese sulphate |
1.67 |
|
Ammonium molybdate |
0.38 |
 |
Figure 1: Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer fortified with five -micronutrients. |
Results and Discussion
The final product samples were analysed, and results were given in the table6and 7..The calibration graphs of flow analyzer,auto analyzer for Ammonical Nitrogen,Phosphate and Urea Nitrogen were shown in figures 2-4.Study on the determination of physical properties of the proposed Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer with and without micronutrients were given in table 8.From this comparison it reveals that the proposed fertilizer has superior physical properties
Table 6: Nutrients content
|
Test parameter |
specification |
Trail-1 |
Trail-2 |
Reference method |
|
Total Nitrogen per cent by weight |
>15 |
15.2 |
15.2 |
FCO 1985 |
|
Nitrate nitrogen per cent by weight |
>4.2 |
4.22 |
4.3 |
FCO 1985 |
|
Ammonical nitrogen per cent by weight |
>5.7 |
5.75 |
5.7 |
segmented flow analysis |
|
Urea Nitrogen percent by weight |
<5.1 |
5.2 |
5.2 |
segmented flow analysis |
|
Water Soluble phosphate(as P2O5) per cent by weight |
>15 |
15 |
15.1 |
segmented flow analysis |
|
Water soluble potash (as K2O) per cent by weight |
>15 |
15.1 |
15 |
FCO 1985 |
|
Sulphate sulphur (as S) percent by weight |
>2.8 |
2.85 |
2.9 |
FCO 1985 |
|
Zinc as Zn per cent by weight |
>0.5 |
0.51 |
0.53 |
Journal of AOAC |
|
Iron as Fe per cent by weight |
>0.5 |
0.54 |
0.52 |
Journal of AOAC |
|
Magnesium as Mg per cent by weight |
>0.5 |
0.53 |
0.5 |
Journal of AOAC |
|
manganese as Mn per cent by weight |
>0.5 |
0.5 |
0.51 |
Journal of AOAC |
|
Molybdenum as Mo per cent by weight |
0.2-0.3 |
0.22 |
0.2 |
AOAC |
Table 7: Impurities.
|
Test parameter |
specification |
Trail-1 |
Trail-2 |
Reference method |
|
Arsenic as As, ppm by weight |
<100 |
5 |
4 |
Journal of AOAC |
|
Lead as pb, ppm by weight |
<30 |
1 |
<1 |
Journal of AOAC |
|
Cadmium as Cd, ppm by weight |
<25 |
<1 |
<1 |
Journal of AOAC |
|
Total chlorides as Cl per cent by weight |
<1.5 |
0.26 |
0.28 |
FCO 1985 |
|
Sodium as NaCl per cent by weight |
<0.5 |
0.12 |
0.12 |
FCO 1985 |
|
Matter insoluble in water per cent by weight |
<0.5 |
0.21 |
0.214 |
FCO 1985 |
Calibration graphs on segmented flow analyzer
 |
Figure 2: Ammonical Nitrogen Calibration graph on auto analyser. |
 |
Figure 3: Phosphate Calibration graph on auto analyser. |
 |
Figure 4: Urea Nitrogen Calibration graph on auto analyser. |
Determination of physical properties
Table 8: Physical properties of the proposed Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer with and without micronutrients
|
Parameter |
N-P-K fertilizer without micronutrients |
N-P-K fertilizer with micronutrients |
Specification |
||||
|
|
Trial-1 |
Trial-2 |
Average |
Trial-1 |
Trial-2 |
Average |
|
|
Moisture per cent by weight |
0.68 |
0.61 |
0.64 |
0.35 |
0.42 |
0.385 |
FCO 1985 |
|
pH of 5% solution |
3.9 |
3.4 |
3.65 |
4.6 |
4.7 |
4.65 |
FCO 1985 |
|
Conductivity , ms/cm |
13.8 |
14.3 |
14.05 |
15.5 |
15.8 |
15.65 |
FCO 1985 |
|
%Critical relative humidity |
81 |
77 |
79 |
68 |
70 |
69 |
IFDC |
Moisture
Moisture is the major problem for the fertilizer manufacturing process. Fertilizers with higher concentrations of nutrients tends to absorb moisture most readily. Moisture absorption possibility may be in the process, packing and storage. it leads to caking, lumps formation, reduction in flowability, generation of ammonia fumes by the decomposition of urea based fertilisers. in the proposed fertilizer moisture content is very less compared with existing available reputed products like 28-28-0 and 19-19-19.
The comparison shown below
 |
Figure 5: Moisture comparison between proposed vs existing available 100% WSFs |
Critical relative humidity(CRH)
each fertiliser has a CRH and at this point the fertilizer starts absorbing moisture from the atmosphere which leads to caking phenomena. so if the material having higher CRH , then it forms less caking. Caking can cause safety concerns due to formation of hard and big lumps. uniform application is not possible due to formation of caking and lumps. In the proposed fertiliser CRH value is high when compared with existing products available in the markets-28-28-0 and 19-19-19. moisture absorption was reduced by the addition of anhydrous MgSO4.
 |
Figure 6: CRH comparison between proposed vs existing available 100% WSFs |
Chlorides
Chloride toxicity in plant includes necrosis of leaf margins and tips, which typically occur in old leaf. Leaf drop was observed when excessive leaf burns. The presence of Cl in the soil also reduces the ability of the plants to take up water and this results in leaf burn or drying of leaf tissues. generally leaf tips affected first and then severity increase along the leaf . higher chloride content in either soil or fertiliser leads to less crop yield. proposed fertilizer chloride content is less than fertilizers available in the market.
 |
Figure 7: Chlorides comparison between proposed vs existing available 100% WSFs |
Conclusion
Micronutrient support is very essential for balanced crop nutrition. Minute quantities of micronutrients are required for better physiology of plant kingdom. Significant plant functions are restricted if micronutrients are unavailable, resulting in plant abnormalities, reduced growth and lower yield. Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer fortified with five-micronutrient matrix and it is very important for achieving the optimal Plant growth. The proposed fertilizer with five micronutrient support revealed enhanced physical properties when compared to normal grade fertilizer.
Acknowledgement
The author wish to thank the management of GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India for supporting this work.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare the no conflicts of interest
Funding Sources
There is no funding sources.
References
- Yanle Guo, Min Zhang, Zhiguang Liu, Chenhao Zhao, Hao Lu, Lei Zheng, and Yuncong C. Li. Applying and Optimizing Water-Soluble, Slow-Release NitrogenFertilizers for Water-Saving Agriculture., ACS Omega. 2020;5 (20):11342-1135.
CrossRef - Mahadev Suvarna and Gaurav Kr. Singh.2021.Water Soluble Fertilizers in Indian Agriculture. Indian jounal of fertilisers.2021; 17(4):290.
- Drocelle Nirere, Kalyna Murthy, K.N. Lalitha, B.S. Murukannappa, Francoise Murorunkwere . Effect of foliar application of watersoluble fertilizers on growth and yield of maize. Rwanda Journal of Agricultural Sciences.2020;1:44-51.
- Senthilkumar, N.,Gokul,G. Effect of NPK Water-soluble Fertilizer on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Finger Millet.Agricultural Science Digest.,2021;(41):191-194.
- Malhotra,S.K. Water soluble fertilizers in horticultural crops— An appraisal, Indian journal of agricultural sciences.2016; 86(10):1245-56.
- Muthumanickam,K., and A. Anuburani. Effect of combined application of inorganic and water soluble fertilizers on growth parametersof chilli hybrid (Capsicum annuum L.). Asian journal of horticulture .2017;12(1): 117-120.
CrossRef - Nair, A.K.,Hebbar, S.S,Prabhakar,M, Senthilkumar,M. Effect of Fertigation Using Different Rates and Sources of Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Under Open Field Condition ., International Research Journal of Pure & Applied Chemistry.2020;21(23):152-160.
CrossRef - Pradesh Jena and Y. R. Aladakatti. Effect of Conventional and Water Soluble Fertilizers through Fertigation on Growth, Physiology and Yield of Bt Cotton International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences.2018;7: 752-759.
- Karthika , N., Ramanathan, SP. Influence of drip fertigation on the physiological and yield parameters of groundnut (Arachishypogaea L.) in light textured soils of Cauvery command in Tamil Nadu.International Journal of chemical studies.2019;7(3):3088-301.
- Anitta Fanish,S. Influence of drip fertigation on water productivity and profitability of maize. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 2013;8(28): 3757-3763.
CrossRef - Abd EL-FattahA.A., Selim, E.M., & Awad, E.M. Response of corn plants (Zeamays) to soil and foliar applications of mineral fertilizers under clay soil conditions. Appl.Sci. Res.2012; 8(8): 4711- 4719.
- Manasa, V.,. Hebsur,N.S, Malligawad,L.H, Gobinath,R, Ramakrishna, B. Effect of Water Soluble Fertilizers on Yield, Oil Content and Economics of Groundnut CJAST.2020; 39(23): 89-96.
CrossRef - Roy S, Gunri SK, Puste AM, Sengupta A, Saha D. Growth and yield of summergroundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as influenced by foliar application of water soluble ertilizer Journal of Applied and Natural Science.2016;8(1):245-250.
CrossRef - Anburani,A. Influence water soluble fertilizers on growth in brinjal hybrid (Solanum melongena L.). Journal of Plant Stress Physiology.2018;4:01-03.
- Alok Singh Jayara., Sharad ,Pandey, Rajeew, Kumar. Micronutrients: Role in Plants, their Spatial Deficiency and Management in Indian Soils: A ReviewArticle – ARCC 2021: 2162.
- Nayyar, V.K. Soil micronutrient deficiencies in the rice- wheat cropping system. In: Addressing Resource Conservation Issues in Rice-Wheat Systems of Sout Asia: A Resource Book.2003; 157-162.
- Govindaraj,M., P. Kannan and P. Arunachalam Implication of Micronutrients in Agriculture and Health with Special Reference to Iron and Zinc. International Journal of Agricultural Management & Development .2011; 1(4):207-220.
- Arabhanvi, F., Pujar, A.M., Hulihalli, U.K. Micronutrients and productivity of oilseed crops – A review. Agricultural Reviews.2015; 36(4):345-348.
CrossRef - Datta, S.P., Meena, M.C., Barman, M., Golui, D., Mishra, R., Shukla, A.K. Soil tests for micronutrients: Current status and future thrust. Indian Journal of Fertilizers. 2018; 14(5): 32-51.
- Mousavi, S.R., Shahsavari, M. and Rezaei, M. A general overview on manganese (Mn) importance for crops production. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences.2011; 5(9):1799-1803.
- Alejandro, S., Höller, S., Meier, B., Peiter, E.Manganese in Plants.From Acquisition ato Subcellular Allocation. Frontiers in Plant Science.2020; 11:1-23.
- Melanie Hauer-Jákli, Merle Tränkner. Critical Leaf Magnesium Thresholds and the Impact of Magnesium on Plant Growth and Photo-Oxidative Defense: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis From 70 Years of Research, Frontiers in plant sciences.2019;10: 766.
CrossRef - Mehmet Senbayram A.C, Andreas Gransee B , Verena Wahle C , and Heike Thiel Role of magnesium fertilisers in agriculture: plant–soil continuum, crop & pasture science.2015;66:1219-1229.
CrossRef - Bo Yan, Ying Hou, Effect of Soil Magnesium on Plants. a Review, IOP Conf. Series Earth and Environmental Science .2018;170: 022168.
CrossRef
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
