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Eco-Friendly Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polylactic Acid Core/Shell Structured Fibers as Controlled-Release Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture

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Abstract

Using controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) is one of the sustainable strategies that improve the effectiveness of fertilizers in agricultural production. In the present study, CRFs were developed by encapsulating nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) nutrients with core/shell fibers. The NPK-loaded core/shell fibers were fabricated using co-axial electrospinning based on biodegradable and biocompatible hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the core phase and polylactic acid (PLA) as the shell phase. The influences of core/shell structures and polymers used on the physical properties, release profile, degradation behavior, and function of the fertilizer in the field were investigated. Results showed that the PVA/PLA core/shell fibers with diameters in micro-sizes provided higher encapsulation efficiency compared with the PVA monolithic fibers. The core/shell fibers enhanced the stability and release characteristics of the plant nutrients in a controlled manner. Plant growth assessment undertaken with green cos lettuce and red cos lettuce showed that the tested fertilizers were not toxic to the plants. Only one application at the beginning of planting showed simulating effect on vegetative growth parameter and effectively promoted good quality of plant growth. As the results, the NPK-loaded PVA (core)/PLA (shell) fibers could act as CRFs with showing controlled release of fertilizers which are suitable for sustainable agriculture.

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Acknowledgements

The authors greatly acknowledge Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (BEDO), Bangkok, Thailand, for financial support (Grant Number 62/2559) under bioplastics scheme. The authors would like to thank Ms. Ratchada Wongkanya, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, for experimental assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Polymer Materials Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Product Innovation and Technology, Srinakharinwirot University, Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok 63, Ongkarak, Nakhon-Nayok, 26120, Thailand

    Patcharakamon Nooeaid

  2. Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand

    Piyachat Chuysinuan, Supanna Techasakul & Decha Dechtrirat

  3. Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Products Improvement Institute, Bangkok, 10220, Thailand

    Wiparat Pitakdantham & Dumrongsak Aryuwananon

  4. Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10220, Thailand

    Decha Dechtrirat

  5. Specialized Center of Rubber and Polymer Materials for Agriculture and Industry (RPM), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10220, Thailand

    Decha Dechtrirat

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  1. Patcharakamon Nooeaid
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  2. Piyachat Chuysinuan
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Nooeaid, P., Chuysinuan, P., Pitakdantham, W. et al. Eco-Friendly Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polylactic Acid Core/Shell Structured Fibers as Controlled-Release Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture. J Polym Environ 29, 552–564 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-020-01902-9

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