SmartSprout: Electrospun carriers for controlled release in horticulture

Project Description

Sustainable intensification refers to optimisation of land management without increasing land usage. In horticulture, a significant difficulty exists in delivering agrochemicals such as fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides over an extended time period in a cost effective manner. Controlled release agents (CRAs) have offered a solution to this issue. In particular, polymer coated (PC) CRAs have shown controlled release of fertilisers for up to 18 months after application. Benefits include improved nutrient efficiency by preventing soil leeching, volatilisation, or runoff; tailoring nutrient release to specific site conditions and increased cost effectiveness by extending nutrient availability and reducing waste. Whilst PCCRAs have advanced significantly, these are mainly reserved for arable applications, leaving horticulture behind. There are also several research gaps that need to be addressed and a core of these stem from the materials used to generate PCCRAs. There is little understanding of the environmental impact and life cycle assessment of PCCRAs and many rely on fossil-fuel derived polymers. Furthermore not all horticultural environments are created equal. Differences in soil pH, temperature and moisture content can have a significant impact on the performance of PCCRAs. there is not currently a universal solution for nutrient management across the globe.

This is a collaborative project with Impact Solutions and the project leaders, while at Edinburgh Napier University, we will exploit the potential of our electrospinning facilities and expertise. Impact Solutions will conduct formulation development and production of controlled release agents, and then at Edinburgh Napier University, we will contribute to embedding these agents with biodegradable polymers in the form of fibres. This requires quite a comprehensive research to formulate the biodegradable polymer compatible with the fertilisers while being spannable to fibres concurrently.

This will include feasibility of a universal platform for agrochemical controlled release agents, taking the form of electrospun fibres. Formulation based approach to developing a biodegradable material for the entrapment and controlled release of agrochemicals. Testing for biodegradability of materials used from the projects conception and developing a tuneable controlled-release platform which is entirely biodegradable.