The granular fertiliser is based on ordinary potato starch, which scientists have supplemented with special substances that allow the controlled release of the necessary nutrients. “Synthetic superabsorbent polymers capable of repeatedly binding and releasing up to 500 times their weight are now commonly used in agriculture to retain water in the soil. However, they are problematic in terms of biodegradability, remaining in the soil for a long time. For this reason, we focused on developing natural alternatives that would not burden the environment,” said Petr Škarpa, head of research at MENDELU.
Experts from the Faculty of Agronomy are cooperating on the development of fertilisers with the company ESCUBE, s.r.o., with which they have previously created, for example, so-called bioenergy drinks for plants. Test granules are currently being developed in the laboratories at CEITEC BUT, which the scientists would like to take directly to the field next spring. “My colleagues will incorporate the selected nutrients into granules made up of a hydroabsorbent for water retention. These granules will be able to absorb water and at the same time release it together with the nutrients into the soil environment in a controlled manner,” described Škarpa.
It is the optimal distribution of not only water but also nutrients that is crucial for plant growth. “It is important that the nutrient supply respects the demands of the crop during its growing season. Our aim is to increase the utilisation of the nutrients supplied by fertilisers, which depends on many factors and the presence of water is one of the main ones. For example, nitrogen is reported to be found in harvested products at less than half of the total amount applied by fertilisers,” he said.
In the first phase, scientists will test fertilisers adapted to the specific needs of wheat and poppy. “Poppy sown in spring is very susceptible to drought at the beginning of growth. Because it has small seeds, it also has low germination energy, making it all the more susceptible to abiotic stresses such as drought. Problems with poppy emergence plague many farmers in the country every year. If we can partially solve this problem, I would consider it a success,” said the MENDELU expert.
However, the number of modifications to the proposed fertiliser seems to be inexhaustible in the future. “The variation of possible fertiliser components is wide, and besides nutrients, other biologically active substances can be used that will be useful for the chosen crop at a particular development stage,” added Škarpa.
Special granular fertilisers would be applied to the soil depending on the needs of the crop before sowing, at sowing and also during the growing season. The scientists also plan to test an innovative solution where the fertiliser would be applied to the seed itself. The farmer would then sow and fertilise the field in a single step. “The nature of the substances needed to produce hydrogel-based fertilisers allows us to incorporate the seed into the fertiliser during its preparation. Especially for crops with small seeds, such as poppies, this offers the opportunity to test an innovative planting procedure,” explains Škarpa. “Our aim is to innovate poppy cultivation technology that is particularly useful in dry areas,” he added.
In addition to poppy seed, it could also be possible to cover, for example, rape, wheat or maize seed, according to Škarpa. This year, the scientists will focus on testing laboratory-prepared fertilisers in container experiments, while next year they would like to test the finished products directly in field conditions.
Contact for more information: Ing. Petr Škarpa, Ph.D., +420 602 528 841, petr.skarpa@mendelu.cz, Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition AF MENDELU
More news
-
Generation Z, meaning people born between 1995 and 2010, wastes food according to their estimates more than the previous generation, a total of 43.4 grams per person per day. This number drops almost by half for young people living with their…2. 10. 2024
-
EU Commission selects HEROES as new European University alliance to boost smart…
The HEROES Alliance unites nine universities of applied sciences across the EU under one common objective: to strengthen the resilience of the regions they are located in through digital innovations. 120,000 students and 14,000 staff spread over 22…4. 7. 2024 -
The student competition MENDELU Boost was won by the project Citymind: AI…
The winner of the first edition of the MENDELU Boost student entrepreneurial competition was the project Citymind, which serves as an AI assistant for cities and municipalities. The second place was awarded to a project focused on identifying hidden…20. 6. 2024 -
The addition of insects can improve the nutritional value of meat products.
Insects are being discussed as a potential protein source for the future. Small larvae contain high amounts of proteins and healthy fats. Compared to other livestock, insect farming also seems to be more environmentally friendly. Therefore,…17. 6. 2024 -
EURAF conference sets the direction for agroforestry in Europe for the coming…
At the international agroforestry conference EURAF 2024, the institutions jointly concluded the Brno Agroforestry Declaration on the implementation of agroforestry in Europe. The Declaration focuses on the knowledge and actions needed in the field…3. 6. 2024 -
The national round of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize was won by a student of…
Tadeáš Fryčák from the Jan Opletal Grammar School in Litovel won the third year of the national round of the global competition Stockholm Junior Water Prize. In his presentation he introduced the Root Tracker software, which he programmed himself.…30. 5. 2024 -
World experts address current challenges of agroforestry at MENDELU
This week, experts from all over the world are meeting at Mendel University in Brno to discuss agroforestry - growing trees together with crop production or livestock breeding. The EURAF 2024 conference deals with both research and practice and is…28. 5. 2024 -
An exceptional figure of our university, Vojtěch Adam, has passed away
With deep sorrow, the university rector received the sad news of the passing of Emeritus Vice-Rector and prominent scientist Prof. RNDr. Vojtěch Adam, Ph.D., who succumbed to a short severe illness yesterday.22. 5. 2024 -
Project SPOT from MENDELU was chosen for the 20 years of EU enlargement article
Project SPOT which is coordinated by Milada Šťastná and also led on behalf of the Faculty of AgriSciences at MENDELU has beed selected for the European Research Executive Agency article dedicated to the 20 years of EU enlargement.3. 5. 2024 -
In the MENDELU Ph.D. talent competition, five students succeeded
The third edition of the MENDELU Ph.D. Talent competition for supplementary talent scholarships for doctoral students has announced its winners. Ten talented students advanced to the second round of the MENDELU Ph.D. Talent competition, where they…2. 4. 2024