In the heart of India, researchers are cooking up a storm—not in the kitchen, but in the lab. Prabakar Ponnusamy, a scientist at the Vellore Institute of Technology, is leading a team that’s transforming agricultural waste into a powerful tool for sustainable farming. Their latest creation? A slow-release fertilizer that could revolutionize how we feed our crops and protect our environment.
The team has developed a nano-biochar-coated slow-release fertilizer (NBC-SRF) using sugarcane bagasse, a waste product of the sugar industry. “We’re not just solving a waste disposal problem,” Ponnusamy explains. “We’re creating a valuable product that can enhance crop yields and reduce environmental degradation.”
The process begins with pyrolysis, a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The resulting biochar is then milled and sonicated to produce nano-biochar particles with a high surface area and enhanced adsorption capability. These particles are then coated with a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), creating a matrix that encapsulates urea, a common nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
The real magic happens in the soil. The NBC-SRF releases nitrogen in a controlled manner, providing a steady supply of nutrients to plants over an extended period. “We’ve seen up to 60 days of controlled nutrient delivery,” Ponnusamy says. “This is a significant improvement over conventional fertilizers, which can leach out of the soil quickly, causing environmental problems.”
The team’s research, published in the Chemical Engineering Journal Advances (which translates to “Advances in Chemical Engineering” in English), also shows that the NBC-SRF meets European Standard EN 13266:2001 for coated controlled-release fertilizers. This is a significant milestone, as it opens up the possibility of commercializing the product in the European market.
The potential impacts of this research are far-reaching. In the energy sector, for instance, the use of slow-release fertilizers can contribute to more sustainable biofuel production. By enhancing nutrient use efficiency and reducing environmental degradation, the NBC-SRF can help create a more sustainable biofuel industry.
Moreover, the research could pave the way for future developments in precision agriculture. The controlled release mechanism of the NBC-SRF allows for more precise nutrient delivery, which can lead to improved crop yields and reduced input costs. “This is just the beginning,” Ponnusamy says. “We’re excited to see how this technology will shape the future of agriculture.”
In the meantime, the team is continuing to refine their product and explore new applications. With their innovative approach to waste management and nutrient delivery, they’re not just changing the game—they’re creating a whole new playing field.