Biodegradation and release correlations in soil/water medium of polymer-fertilizer-based system

Chitosan/montmorillonite microparticles systems highlighted to encapsulate potassium nitrate fertilizer since the potentiality of final product biodegradation. We evaluate biodegradability and nutrient delivery in water and soil. We assume the materials are biodegradable since the biodegradation efficiency achieved over 30%. As the nutrient diffusion and matrix degradation happen concomitantly, we also observed that the clay delays degradation and the KNO₃ improved. In this sense, the number of nutrients delivered will satisfy the amount consumed by the plant, the matrix will degrade, and no residue will be left in the soil. (author)