Studies on the use of hydantoin-related compounds as slow release fertilizers

Abstract

In order to develop nitrogen fertilizers with controlled release characteristics, more than 20 hydantoin-related compounds were synthesized and subjected to the physical and mineralization tests, phytotoxicity tests and bacterial tests. Compounds in the C–5 alkylhydantoin and α-ureidoalkylamide groups showed low rates of mineralization, which is the most important characteristic for a slow release fertilizer. Especially, α-ureidopropionamide and α-ureidobutyramide showed slightly lower rates of mineralization and nitrification than those of CDU (crotonyIidene diurea), and the nitrogen contents of these compounds were approximately the same as that of CDU. α-Ureidopropionamide application promoted plant growth. These C–5 alkylhydantoin and α-ureidoalkylamide compounds offer a potential as new slow release fertilizers. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.