Controlled-Release Fertilizers

Abstract

Fertilizers that release plant nutrients slowly throughout the growing season or even several growing seasons continue to attract the attention of technologists and agronomists. Potential advantages claimed for controlled-release fertilizers are increased efficiency of uptake by plants; minimization of losses by leaching, fixation, or decomposition; reduction in application costs through reduction in number of applications; elimination of luxury consumption; and avoidance of burning of vegetation or damage to seedlings. This is an impressive list of potential advantages.