Potential of Starch and Chitosan Based Adhesive in Slow Release Urea Fertilizer

Abstract

Starch and chitosan are widely used in biomedical, pharmaceutical and agriculture due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. This paper investigates the potential of starch and chitosan to substitute current urea formaldehydein the application of slow release urea fertilizer. Biodegradable starch and chitosan based urea fertilizer is prepared through direct mixing process at the range 60oCto 70oC until gelatinization. It is followed by shaping and drying process performed in an oven at 60oC for 8 hours. Then, water absorption, soil degradation test and compression strength test are carried out to determine slow release behavior, life cycle of urea fertilizer and hardness respectively. Presence of urea inside the starch and chitosan urea fertilizer is exploredvia Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy.