Effect of mineral fertilizer encapsulated with zeolite and polyethylene terephthalate on the soil microbiota, pH and plant germination

Abstract

Environmental risks caused by the use of traditional mineral fertilizers require new agro-technical solutions, which are encapsulated long-acting fertilizers. The use of the capsule allows to reduce the concentration of mineral compounds in the fertilizer and to minimize the adverse effects of the chemical compounds contained in it on the environment. Encapsulated fertilizers provide more efficient absorption of mineral nutrition by plants, allowing to synchronize the release of elements in accordance with the needs of the plant. The use of natural materials as fertilizer shells is faced with the problem of their low solubility and cost, and the use of synthetic coatings with the problems of their biodegradation in the environment. The development of new environmentally friendly materials for long-acting fertilizer capsules is a challenge for modern society. In this context, a universal mineral fertilizer coated with a coating of natural zeolite sorbent and diethylene glycol (DEG) modified polyethyl terephthalate (PET) is promising. We analyzed the influence of fertilizer on the kinetics of soil pH change, the dynamics of the total microbial count and the increase in the number of microorganisms and the germination of Hordeum sativum and Lolium perenne. The application of fertilizer for 28 days of the experiment led to decrease in soil pH by 0.3. In the presence of encapsulated fertilizer the germination of ryegrass seeds was 3.51 times higher, and ones of barley 4.14 times higher than without fertilizer. The fertilizer provided a prolonged release of minerals, which had a positive effect on the germination of barley and ryegrass plants, stimulated plant growth and increased the total number of microorganisms in the soil as an important indicator of the efficiency of agricultural technology.