A novel synthetic slow release fertilizer with low energy production for efficient nutrient management

Chemical synthetic slow release fertilizer had become a major breakthrough in the green fertilizer industry due to its superior nutrient management and degradation properties. However, the traditional chemical synthetic slow release fertilizers contain only nitrogen and consume high energy during drying. Herein, a low cost green chemical synthetic slow release fertilizer (PSRF/KCl) was prepared from urea, formaldehyde and diammonium phosphate by spray drying method. Compared with the traditional drying process, the comprehensive energy consumption is reduced by 38.13%. The SEM, FTIR, and TG characteristics of PSRF/KCl showed that it has excellent water solubility, special morphological characteristics and thermal properties. In addition, the application of PSRF/KCl in Chinese cabbage showed that PSRF/KCl could increase the yield by 26.2%. All the results showed that PSRF/KCl is a green chemical synthetic slow release fertilizer, which has broad application prospects in modern sustainable agriculture, and its matching spray drying process can effectively reduce production costs. A novel low cost and high-efficiency slow-release fertilizer (PSRF/KCl) was prepared from urea, formaldehyde, diammonium hydrogen phosphate and potassium chloride after solution polymerization and spray drying. The synthesized PSRF/KCl exhibited the characteristics of low cost, good water solubility, special morphological characteristics, excellent thermal properties and nutrient release performance. It can effectively reduce the loss of nutrient and improve the growth of Chinese cabbage. The supporting spray drying process will effectively reduce the cost of chemical synthesis slow release fertilizer and promote the sustainable development of modern agriculture. • A new slow-release fertilizer with N, P, K was chemically synthesized. • The spray drying method combined with KCl reduces the cost of production. • New chemical synthetic fertilizer improves Chinese cabbage yield.