Development of Bio-based Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Chitosan and Its Utilization in Controlled Release Fertilizer

Fertilizers with slow release and water retention have received a lot of attention lately because of their importance in agriculture and horticultural applications. In this study, a novel controlled release fertilizer system based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and chitosan (CH) was developed to boost biomass usage efficiency while reducing pollution. The bio-based CMC and CH were made from sugarcane bagasse and golden apple snail shell, respectively. The produced materials were analyzed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and moisture absorption techniques. The behaviors of nutrient release in slow release fertilizer (SRF) were examined thoroughly. SEM images reveal that a fertilizer coated with 5 wt% CMC exhibits an effective distribution of CMC across its surface, providing a comprehensive coverage of the fertilizer. However, if the quantity is elevated, the CMC becomes aggregate, leading to a comparatively inadequate coverage of the fertilizer surface. The experimental data revealed that the fertilizer utilizing CMC and CH as coating substances exhibits advantageous slow-release characteristics. The uncoated fertilizer exhibits a water absorption value of 53.3%, while the one-coating layer fertilizer shows a value of 154.0%, and the two-coating layers fertilizer reaches 223.2%. Therefore, incorporating natural polymers can enhance the efficiency of biomass utilization, minimize nutrient loss, and optimize water use efficiency.