Summary
This 2023 narrative review examines starch-based controlled-release fertilisers as a strategy to enhance nutrient use efficiency whilst reducing environmental nutrient losses. The authors synthesise evidence on formulation chemistry, release mechanisms, and agronomic outcomes, positioning starch-polymer composites as biodegradable alternatives to conventional synthetic controlled-release fertiliser matrices. The review emphasises the potential for such biopolymer-based systems to improve crop nutrient availability and mitigate nutrient runoff and leaching.
UK applicability
Starch-based controlled-release fertilisers could support UK agricultural sustainability goals by reducing nutrient losses in high-rainfall temperate conditions where leaching risk is significant. However, field-scale validation under UK soil and climate conditions, alongside cost-competitiveness with existing products, would be necessary before practical adoption in commercial farming.
Key measures
Nutrient release kinetics, nutrient use efficiency, environmental losses (runoff and leaching), formulation composition, biodegradability, agronomic yield and crop response outcomes
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on the formulation chemistry, release mechanisms, and agronomic performance of starch-based controlled-release fertilisers. It evaluates how starch-polymer composites function as biodegradable alternatives to synthetic controlled-release fertiliser matrices.
Topic tags
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