Sustainable agriculture: preparation and characterization of polymeric microspheres containing biochar for imobilization and slow release of phosphorus and promoting bacteria plant growth

Abstract

The systems use slow release of nutrients in agricultural practice has proven to be a viable and sustainable practices to increase the performance and efficiency of crops, as well as the quality of the harvested products. In this context, this project is based on the preparation, characterization and performance evaluation of polymeric microspheres containing alginate biochar to immobilize and slow release phosphorus and bacteria promote plant growth. To achieve this goal biochar will be prepared from the calcination of crushed cane sugar at different temperatures (300-700 ° C) to promote the sorption of phosphate ions. The conditions of preparation of microspheres are optimized by varying the pH of biochar in order to facilitate the immobilization and slow release of the species of interest. Characterization of microspheres (Alginate - Biochar - Phosphorus - Bacteria) will be done by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, microscopy and spectroscopy of atomic force. Quantification of the phosphorus and bacteria released over time for microspheres containing biochar be evaluated by comparing the control experiments (no biochar) in vitro and in field (cornfield), using spectrophotometry by Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission inductively (ICP - OES). Thus, this project aims to open a new perspective associated use of Biochar and its use to increase the fertility of the land for agricultural practice, as well as increase their microbiological quality, thus increasing the quality and productivity of crops sustainably using smaller volumes of fertilizers. (AU)