Application Effect of Water-absorbent Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizer in Latosol

[Objective] A new-type water-absorbent slow release nitrogen fertilizer（WASRNF） was produced through polymerization reaction. Its physicochemical property and application effect in latosol were studied. Feasibility of using WASRNF to improve the serious problems of latosol in rubber planting area in Hainan Island including vulnerable nutrient, free-running fertilizer and water was studied. [Result] The results showed that raw materials of WASRNF, urea and water-retention material formed co-polymer through hydrogen-bond interaction that the WASRNF contained many hydrophilic groups. The p H value of WASRNF is near neutral and its water absorbent rate in tap water could reach 167.17 g·g-1. The water absorbent rates in latosol leach liquors with water/soil ratios of 1：5, 1：10 and 1：20 were 104.66, 122.93 and 145.38 g·g^-1, respectively. The maximum water holding ratio of latosol increased by 23.72%, 30.89% and 39.68% when 0.5%, 1% and 2% WASRNFs were added to latosol, and water evaporation rate of latosol decreased efficiently. Compared with common urea, WASRNF could slow down the leaching rate of nitrogen and the initial leaching amount was only 22.17% of the total amount. [Conclusion]The results indicated that WASRNF in latosol had strong water absorption and water-retention abilities in addition to the good slow release effect, and could efficiently decrease nutrient loss, increase utilization ratio of water and fertilizer and promote interaction between water and fertilizer.

Characteristics and Performance of Novel Water-Absorbent Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizers

In this article, a research on the characteristics and performance of water-absorbent slow release nitrogen fertilizer （WASRNF） using infrared spectroscopy （IR）, scanning electronic microscopy （SEM）, differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, and thermogravimetry analysis （TGA）, was present. The results indicate that the water absorbency and nitrogen analysis of WASRNF is 103 g g^-1 and 30%, respectively, and WASRNF exhibits approximately neutral pH and very low salt index. WASRNF is a copolymer of nitrogen fertilizer and super absorbent polymer （SAP） monomers which is formed through hydrogen bond interaction, and the molecule contains hydrophilic groups, which is responsible for the absorption and water retention capacity of the molecule. WASRNF is a gel that exhibits the ability to swell, but does not dissolve in water. WASRNF shows non-homogenous nature as a whole, but in local zone it is homogenous, the copolymer molecule shows chain network that is the physical structure responsible for absorption and retention of water in WASRNF. The water retained in WASRNF exists as free and nonfreezing bound and freezing bound water states, with the free and the nonfreezing water accounting for more than 95% of water retained in WASRNF, and the nonfreezing bound water for less than 5%. WASRNF functions in delaying the release of nitrogen from it, thereby serving a novel slow release nitrogenous fertilizer.