Lebogang Maureen Katata-Seru,
North-West University, South Africa
Title: Evaluation of inorganic NPKS and nano NPKS fertilizers on maize growth: Preliminary study
Biography
Biography: Lebogang Maureen Katata-Seru,
Abstract
The increasing demand for food and fiber has led to large scale use of inorganic fertilizers in recent years. However, these fertilizers can cause environmental problems such as soil degradation and water pollution when applied at a higher volume. Widespread evidence of sulfur deficiency on arable farmlands is commonly reported particularly in savanna areas including soils used for maize (Zea mays L.) production. The utilization of nanofertilizers represents an evolving innovation and paradigm shift in agriculture and especially in crop fertilization to promote greater efficiency through increased surface area. It is important to have different nanofertilizers compositions that are suitable for different soil conditions in order to guarantee high productivity. In this study, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur (NPKS) from inorganic fertilizer sources were encapsulated using chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles (CS-TPP NPs). The CS-TPP NPs and nano NPKS fertilizer produced were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray Diffraction and Zeta Sizer. The NPKS nanofertilizers were applied on maize variety WE3127 planted under greenhouse condition at different concentrations of 20, 40 and 60 ppm with three replicates. Results of the characteristics displayed from the scans and diffractogram showed the formation of CS-TPP NPs and nano NPKS was successful, with an average particle size range of 200-500 nm and low PDI values of 0.1-0.6. The greenhouse results revealed significant treatments effect on measured maize growth parameters with the tallest maize plant obtained from 1% NPKS 40 ppm. This study showed that indeed NPKS nanofertilizers have the potential to contribute toward increase maize growth and improved productivity.