Evaluación de un recubrimiento a base de carragenina como estrategia de control de liberación de nutrientes desde gránulos de fertilizante NPK hacia el suelo

Abstract

In this work it is described the evaluation of a hydrogel formulation based on carrageenan (biopolymer) for fertilization with fertilizer NPK. Three (3) soil tests (columns, pots and potato cultivation) were carried out to determine if the hydrogel developed by the UTADEO Bioprospecting group decreases the loss of nutrients (N-NH4 +, N-NO3-, P-PO4 -3 and K +) through leachates when it is used as a covering. The results showed that the coating reduces nitrogen loss in the form of N-NO3-, followed by nitrogen in the form of N-NH4 + and finally potassium in the form of K + in laboratory tests. In the field test, were not observed meaningful differences between the treatments for nitrogen (N-NO3- and N-NH4 +) probably due to errors in the experimental design. In the phosphorus in the form of P-PO4-3, were not observed significant differences between treatments in the losses through leachates, in none of the attempts carried out. With these results it is possible to determine that the biopolymer (Carrageenan) could be useful for the manufacture of controlled release fertilizers, however, it must be tried in the field again his efficiency, controlling variables such as the slope of the land and the movement of water in the subsoil.