(Mg, Al) 2 Si 4 O 10 (OH)Á4(H 2 O) is the chemical formula of this
clay material. Several researchers have reported about mixing of attapulgite-polymer complex with conventional fertilizer to utilize as WNLCF.
While applying nitrogen fertilizer, a portion of this fertilizer causes environmental pollution due to various activities (like runoff, leaching, and volatilization) which can be
avoided by high-performance WNLCF. Addition of
high-energy electron beam dispersed attapulgite–sodium
polyacrylate–polyacrylamide complex into traditional fertilizer is a method to prepare WNLCF. The attapulgitepolymer complex serves as the water and nutrient loss
control agent in WNLCF. It retains the water and nutrient
effectively that prevents the water and nutrient loss. Ultimately, it leads to efficient utilization of water and nutrient
reduces the pollution risk caused by the fertilizer (Zhou et al.
2015).
A biomass-based, multifunctional controlled release fertilizer (BMCF) is a cost-effective water and nutrient loss
control fertilizer. It enhances the utilization of nutrient and
crop production as well. Also, it reduces the adverse effects
like environment pollution. BMCF is designed by using
co-granulated ammonium zinc phosphate and urea in attapulgite matrix. This fertilizer core is coated by cellulose
acetate butyrate coating initially. Again it is coated by carboxymethyl chitosan-g-poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite as an outer coating. BMCF decreases
nitrogen leaching loss and runoff. Also, it enhances the
moisture retention of soil and restructures the acidity and
alkalinity of soil (Wang et al. 2014).
3.3 Benefits of Nanofertilizers
Nanofertilizers are produced with intention to regulate the
nutrients supply and consumption to meet demands of the
crops with minimum loss. Conventional nitrogenous fertilizers reduce the efficiency of fertilizing activities (due to
Fig. 2 Sources of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen to the
plants. Plants utilize them and
produce starch and sugar by
photosynthesis process
136
T. Thirugnanasambandan
clay material. Several researchers have reported about mixing of attapulgite-polymer complex with conventional fertilizer to utilize as WNLCF.
While applying nitrogen fertilizer, a portion of this fertilizer causes environmental pollution due to various activities (like runoff, leaching, and volatilization) which can be
avoided by high-performance WNLCF. Addition of
high-energy electron beam dispersed attapulgite–sodium
polyacrylate–polyacrylamide complex into traditional fertilizer is a method to prepare WNLCF. The attapulgitepolymer complex serves as the water and nutrient loss
control agent in WNLCF. It retains the water and nutrient
effectively that prevents the water and nutrient loss. Ultimately, it leads to efficient utilization of water and nutrient
reduces the pollution risk caused by the fertilizer (Zhou et al.
2015).
A biomass-based, multifunctional controlled release fertilizer (BMCF) is a cost-effective water and nutrient loss
control fertilizer. It enhances the utilization of nutrient and
crop production as well. Also, it reduces the adverse effects
like environment pollution. BMCF is designed by using
co-granulated ammonium zinc phosphate and urea in attapulgite matrix. This fertilizer core is coated by cellulose
acetate butyrate coating initially. Again it is coated by carboxymethyl chitosan-g-poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite as an outer coating. BMCF decreases
nitrogen leaching loss and runoff. Also, it enhances the
moisture retention of soil and restructures the acidity and
alkalinity of soil (Wang et al. 2014).
3.3 Benefits of Nanofertilizers
Nanofertilizers are produced with intention to regulate the
nutrients supply and consumption to meet demands of the
crops with minimum loss. Conventional nitrogenous fertilizers reduce the efficiency of fertilizing activities (due to
Fig. 2 Sources of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen to the
plants. Plants utilize them and
produce starch and sugar by
photosynthesis process
136
T. Thirugnanasambandan