TPU geologists, together with their foreign partners, have completed a series of laboratory tests of innovative nano-fertilizers. The natural mineral halloysite enriched with copper, boron and iodine was used as the basis for the composite materials. The mineral was extracted on the territory of Russia and provided by Halloysite-Ural, LLC. The effectiveness of the developed nanocomposite fertilizers was tested on arugula microgreens.
The use of fertilizers has shown a significant increase in plant height and biomass. The research was supported by the State Assignment "Science" (project FSWW-2023-0010). The research findings have been published in the journal Microporous and Mesoporous Materials (Q1, IF:4.8).
"Micro fertilizers are important for increasing yields and improving soil quality by providing plants with essential nutrients that they can easily absorb. However, traditional fertilizers often face problems such as rapid leaching, low nutrient efficiency, and environmental losses. Targeted nano-fertilizers have emerged as a promising solution. These nano-fertilizers provide for a controlled release of nutrients and improved bioavailability," says Maxim Rudmin, joint author of the study, associate professor of the Department of Geology at the Engineering School of Natural Resources of TPU.
Geologists used a concentrate of halloysite nanotubes from a deposit in the Russian Federation as a mineral raw material for the nanocomposite fertilizers, and copper, boron, and iodine as an active component. Scientists impregnated nanotube particles in aqueous solutions containing copper chelate, boric acid and iodine, and then sprayed them onto the surface of arugula microgreens.
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