Evaluation of NPK-organo-zeolite as controlled release fertilizer for the growth of clinacanthus nutans

Abstract

Sustainable environment can be achieved by controlling the release of fertilizer’s major nutrients (Nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and potassium (K)) for the plants uptake since the leaching of these nutrients to the environment contributes to the soil and water pollutions. Therefore, this paper describes the use of NPK-organo-zeolite, a surfactant modified zeolite (organo-zeolite) loaded with major nutrients (N, P and K) as a controlled release fertilizer. NPK-organo-zeolite was prepared by contacting dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4) with surfactant modified ammonium exchanged zeolite (organo-NH4-zeolite). NPK-organo-zeolite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. These characterizations proved that the loading of N, P and K elements on organo-zeolite did not distort the structure of original zeolite. Nutrients (Ammonium, phosphate and potassium) release study of NPK-organo-zeolite proved the slower release amount of nutrients compared to commercial fertilizer. The effectiveness of NPK-organo-zeolite as a controlled release fertilizer was evaluated on Clinacanthus nutans and it was compared with raw zeolite and commercial fertilizer. The plant growth study revealed the effectiveness of NPK-organo-zeolite as a controlled release fertilizer since it can increased the growth and yield of C. nutans compared to commercial fertilizer and raw zeolite. The effectiveness of NPK-organo-zeolite was due to the slower release of nutrients as proven from the nutrients release study. Therefore, NPK-organo- zeolite can be alternative fertilizer that can avoid the leaching of nutrients and thus, its application in the field leads to the sustainable agriculture and environment.