New Eco-Friendly Zinc-incorporated Urea Slow Release Fertilizer for Improving Zinc availability and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) is necessary to reduce the entry of excess N into the environment and to retain N in the soil. Few studies have been done on dual-purpose slow release fertilizers using urea and zinc (Zn). Methods In this study, a new Zn-incorporated urea slow release fertilizer with diatomite (DE) and nano-diatomite (NDE) was synthesized. The treatments included the following: C: control, U: urea, Zn: zinc sulfate, UZn: urea-Zn complex, UZn-DE: urea-Zn-diatomite, UZn-NDE: urea-Zn-nano-diatomite. The slow-release urea-Zn fertilizers (SRUZns) were characterized using FESEM/EDS, FT-IR, CHN, DLS, and zeta potential techniques. First, the slow release behavior of SRUZns in soil was monitored. Then, a greenhouse study was carried out to check the agronomic effects of them on maize (Zea mays). Results Instrumental analyses indicated the binding of UZn complex into DE and NDE in the components. Usage of SRUZns lead to better retention of NH4+ relative to NO3−. UZn-NDE was twice as effective as UZn-DE in NH4+ retaining in the soil. Also, cumulative losses of Zn available in the soil was the lowest by UZn-NDE. Pot study revealed that UZn-fertilizers boosted the crop growth in comparison to the urea and zinc sulfate alone. N and Zn uptake and use efficiency improved significantly by SRUZn fertilizers in maize. Conclusion The results showed that the dual-purpose SRUZns with slow-release behavior could be reflected as well-organized N and Zn fertilizers in agricultural and horticultural with minimal environmental effluence.