Background

Using nitrogen fertilizers often results in premature nitrogen loss through groundwater leaching, rain events, or over application. Many companies produce small pellets that entrap fertilizers within a water soluble polymer matrix that slowly dissolves and releases the fertilizer over time, providing long-term application. However, these conventional polymers used in slow-release fertilizer formulations are often not fully biodegradable. Companies are highly interested in replacing conventional polymers with a biodegradable alternative.

Technology Overview

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a method to produce a biodegradable polymer coating for fertilizer pellets, allowing nitrogen to be released slowly over time. The polymer material is primarily made of gamma polyglutamate produced by Azotobacter vinelandii through a process that potentially can be scaled-up.