Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Potassium Incorporated Nitrogenous Nano Fertilizer

Abstract

Abstract Nano fertilizers have emerged as promising alternative smart fertilizers to ensure high crop production and soil restoration. In this study, we aimed to synthesize an eco-friendly and feasible potassium-incorporated nitrogenous nano fertilizer using physical and chemical methods. The synthesized nano fertilizers were characterized using Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulphur (CH-NS) Elemental Analyzer, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) techniques. Based on the results, a suitable product was selected for preliminary trials in plant nutrition. The most essential nutrients for crops are macronutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In the chemical synthesis, the nano fertilizer was prepared by extracting nutrients from ripe banana fruit rind (peels) and leaf extracts using chitosan nanoparticles, which served as a useful matrix for loading nutrients into crops. Subsequently, the synthesized nano fertilizer was analyzed, which revealed a particle size of 293 nm and a maximum nitrogen content of 3.51% and potassium content of 4.47%. For the physical synthesis, a planetary ball mill was used, where chitosan and potassium carbonate obtained from banana peel ash were ball milled to reduce their size. The results indicated a particle size of 5308 nm; a maximum nitrogen content of 5.55% and potassium content of 3.01%. After comparing both outcomes, the fertilizer synthesized using the chemical method was chosen for analyzing its effect on plant growth. Trials with crop plants demonstrated that the growth rates of plants increased with a decrease in the dosage of the nano fertilizer. Further elaborative field trials with different crops are suggested to evolve commercial recommendations to farmers.