Controlled-Release Phosphorus Fertilizers Manufactured with Chitosan Derivatives: An Effective Alternative for Enhanced Plant Development

In modern agriculture, fertilizers are commonly used to increase crop yields; however, their negligent use can lead to environmental pollution and the waste of essential nutrients such as inorganic phosphate (Pi). Encapsulated fertilizers are a feasible alternative that could prevent these issues, a...

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Main Authors: Eva García-Ilizaliturri, Enrique Ibarra-Laclette, Nicolaza Pariona-Mendoza, Carlos Espinoza-González, Antonio Cárdenas-Flores, José Humberto Valenzuela-Soto, Alan Josué Pérez-Lira, Claudia-Anahí Pérez-Torres
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/4/610
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author Eva García-Ilizaliturri
Enrique Ibarra-Laclette
Nicolaza Pariona-Mendoza
Carlos Espinoza-González
Antonio Cárdenas-Flores
José Humberto Valenzuela-Soto
Alan Josué Pérez-Lira
Claudia-Anahí Pérez-Torres
author_facet Eva García-Ilizaliturri
Enrique Ibarra-Laclette
Nicolaza Pariona-Mendoza
Carlos Espinoza-González
Antonio Cárdenas-Flores
José Humberto Valenzuela-Soto
Alan Josué Pérez-Lira
Claudia-Anahí Pérez-Torres
author_sort Eva García-Ilizaliturri
collection DOAJ
description In modern agriculture, fertilizers are commonly used to increase crop yields; however, their negligent use can lead to environmental pollution and the waste of essential nutrients such as inorganic phosphate (Pi). Encapsulated fertilizers are a feasible alternative that could prevent these issues, as they can protect Pi from leaching and extend the interval between applications. In this study, we developed and tested innovative fertilizers (IFs) manufactured with KH<sub>2</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>, encapsulated with chitosan modified via high-frequency ultrasound treatment. The characterization of these fertilizers consisted of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and scanning transmission electron microscopy to determine their sizes and forms. In addition, we evaluated the phosphate release profile using electrical conductivity. The IFs were spheroidal microcapsules with an average diameter of 0.5–2 μM and showed slow-release behavior. Their efficacy was assessed via in vivo and in vitro assays, using <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> as a study model. As expected, the IFs promoted the growth of seedlings. One of the IFs showed enhanced growth promotion, contrasting with the control. This phenotype was likely promoted by this fertilizer due to the synergistic effect of Pi and the modified chitosan used as an encapsulant matrix. Our results highlight the potential of these formulations, which have unique properties and could be used on a large scale.
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spelling doaj-art-42233d12619a4ffeb98d3281d5261d122025-08-20T02:03:27ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-02-0114461010.3390/plants14040610Controlled-Release Phosphorus Fertilizers Manufactured with Chitosan Derivatives: An Effective Alternative for Enhanced Plant DevelopmentEva García-Ilizaliturri0Enrique Ibarra-Laclette1Nicolaza Pariona-Mendoza2Carlos Espinoza-González3Antonio Cárdenas-Flores4José Humberto Valenzuela-Soto5Alan Josué Pérez-Lira6Claudia-Anahí Pérez-Torres7Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados (REMAv), Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, MexicoRed de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados (REMAv), Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, MexicoRed de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados (REMAv), Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, MexicoDepartamento de Materiales Avanzados, Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada (CIQA), Saltillo 25294, Coahuila, MexicoDepartamento de Biociencias y Agrotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada (CIQA), Saltillo 25294, Coahuila, MexicoDepartamento de Biociencias y Agrotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada (CIQA), Saltillo 25294, Coahuila, MexicoRed de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados (REMAv), Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, MexicoRed de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados (REMAv), Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, MexicoIn modern agriculture, fertilizers are commonly used to increase crop yields; however, their negligent use can lead to environmental pollution and the waste of essential nutrients such as inorganic phosphate (Pi). Encapsulated fertilizers are a feasible alternative that could prevent these issues, as they can protect Pi from leaching and extend the interval between applications. In this study, we developed and tested innovative fertilizers (IFs) manufactured with KH<sub>2</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>, encapsulated with chitosan modified via high-frequency ultrasound treatment. The characterization of these fertilizers consisted of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and scanning transmission electron microscopy to determine their sizes and forms. In addition, we evaluated the phosphate release profile using electrical conductivity. The IFs were spheroidal microcapsules with an average diameter of 0.5–2 μM and showed slow-release behavior. Their efficacy was assessed via in vivo and in vitro assays, using <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> as a study model. As expected, the IFs promoted the growth of seedlings. One of the IFs showed enhanced growth promotion, contrasting with the control. This phenotype was likely promoted by this fertilizer due to the synergistic effect of Pi and the modified chitosan used as an encapsulant matrix. Our results highlight the potential of these formulations, which have unique properties and could be used on a large scale.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/4/610encapsulated fertilizersphosphate starvationenhanced plant growthhigh-frequency ultrasound<i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>
spellingShingle Eva García-Ilizaliturri
Enrique Ibarra-Laclette
Nicolaza Pariona-Mendoza
Carlos Espinoza-González
Antonio Cárdenas-Flores
José Humberto Valenzuela-Soto
Alan Josué Pérez-Lira
Claudia-Anahí Pérez-Torres
Controlled-Release Phosphorus Fertilizers Manufactured with Chitosan Derivatives: An Effective Alternative for Enhanced Plant Development
Plants
encapsulated fertilizers
phosphate starvation
enhanced plant growth
high-frequency ultrasound
<i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>
title Controlled-Release Phosphorus Fertilizers Manufactured with Chitosan Derivatives: An Effective Alternative for Enhanced Plant Development
title_full Controlled-Release Phosphorus Fertilizers Manufactured with Chitosan Derivatives: An Effective Alternative for Enhanced Plant Development
title_fullStr Controlled-Release Phosphorus Fertilizers Manufactured with Chitosan Derivatives: An Effective Alternative for Enhanced Plant Development
title_full_unstemmed Controlled-Release Phosphorus Fertilizers Manufactured with Chitosan Derivatives: An Effective Alternative for Enhanced Plant Development
title_short Controlled-Release Phosphorus Fertilizers Manufactured with Chitosan Derivatives: An Effective Alternative for Enhanced Plant Development
title_sort controlled release phosphorus fertilizers manufactured with chitosan derivatives an effective alternative for enhanced plant development
topic encapsulated fertilizers
phosphate starvation
enhanced plant growth
high-frequency ultrasound
<i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/4/610
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