Fertilisers with lower environmental impacts and reduced costs for farmers are being developed by University of Adelaide researchers in the world-first use of the new advanced material graphene as a fertiliser carrier.
In partnership with industry, the researchers have demonstrated effective slow release fertilisers can be produced from loading essential trace elements onto graphene oxide sheets.
Using graphene as a carrier means the fertilisers can be applied in a more targeted fashion, with overall increased fertiliser efficiency and great nutrient uptake by the plants. The graphene-based carriers have so far been demonstrated with the micronutrients zinc and copper. Work is continuing with macronutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate.
“Fertilisers that show slower, more controlled release and greater efficiency will have reduced impact on the environment and lower costs for farmers over conventional fertilisers, bringing significant potential benefit for both agriculture and the environment,” says Professor Mike McLaughlin, Head of the University of Adelaide’s Fertiliser Technology Research Centre at the Waite campus.
“Our research found that loading copper and zinc micronutrients onto graphene oxide sheets was an effective way to supply micronutrients to plants. It also increased the strength of the fertiliser granules for better transport and spreading ability.”
Professor Dusan Losic, nanotechnology leader in the University’s School of Chemical Engineering and Director of the University’s Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation, says: “Graphene is a novel new material only discovered in 2004 and has incredible properties, including a very high surface area, strength and adaptability to bind to different nutrients. We started exciting research on a broad range of applications of graphene four years ago – this is the first time graphene has been developed as a carrier for fertiliser nutrients.”
Learn more: Graphene promise for more efficient fertilisers
The Latest on: Fertilizer
[google_news title=”” keyword=”fertilizer” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Fertilizer
- African leaders endorse declaration on fertilizer use, soil healthon May 10, 2024 at 9:14 pm
The African Heads of State and government gathered here mid this week for the Africa soil health summit have endorsed the Nairobi Declaration on Fertilizer and Soil Health, underscoring the crucial ...
- Fertilizer markets calm a biton May 10, 2024 at 6:12 pm
An economist with the Institute says the fertilizer markets are much calmer now than they were this time last year. Veronica Nigh tells Brownfield there’s less volatility so the product is easier for ...
- Valley Bounty: Fibers for farmers: Western Massachusetts Fibershed turns local ‘throw away’ wool into fertilizer pelletson May 10, 2024 at 11:58 am
Local wool for your wardrobe … and for your garden?That’s the idea behind a new project from Western Massachusetts Fibershed, an organization working to strengthen our local fiber economy, right ...
- Gov Inuwa unveils new fertilizer plant in Gombeon May 10, 2024 at 5:31 am
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday, unveiled a new fertilizer blending plant to make the commodity readily available and affordable to farmers as the 2024 farming season begins.
- Clogged line led to massive fertilizer spill to East Nishnabotna River in Iowaon May 10, 2024 at 4:34 am
NEW Cooperative has an expansive site on the west edge of Red Oak. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A farmers’ co-op employee left open a valve on a clogged fertilizer line that — for an ...
- Methane’s a huge menace, but these little guys can turn it into fertilizer. Organic fertilizer.on May 8, 2024 at 9:22 am
Who woulda guessed it? Yes, the latest hope for controlling methane — the noxious byproduct of, chiefly, fossil ...
- Clogged line led to massive fertilizer spill in Western Iowaon May 8, 2024 at 9:18 am
A farmers’ co-op employee left open a valve on a clogged fertilizer line that — for an unknown reason — became unclogged when no one was present and in March heavily polluted the East Nishnabotna ...
- Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!on May 8, 2024 at 3:46 am
Ever wonder how sustainable farms grow beautiful produce without harmful chemicals and fertilizer? Alex speaks with a farmer for some tips you can use for your garden at home.
- Killing fertilizer tax hike is a missed opportunityon May 8, 2024 at 12:00 am
The main source of pollution in our waters comes from agriculture fertilizer runoff. It seeps into the groundwater and gets into our drinking water supply, making it difficult to clean and unsafe to ...
via Bing News
