An innovative biobased, biodegradable fertilizer encapsulation for improved water quality, better soil health, and nutrient use efficiency

Polymer coated fertilizers (PCFs) can reduce fertilizer runoff and increase fertilizer use efficiency. However, current PCFs are composed of non-biodegradable polymers,leavingmicroplastics in the soil that may persist for very long periods of time. These microplastics can also be carried into waterways through water runoff, where they can harm water quality and wildlife.Furthermore, the current PCF technologies are subject to EU regulation, which closes a large global market to PCFs.The goal of this proposal is to produce a PCF made of a natural, biodegradable polymer as the encapsulation material. This polymer is readily broken down by numerous soil microorganisms and will not persist in soil or waterways as microplastics. By feeding soil microbes, the polymer will increase soil carbon and may improvesoil health.Our work in this project will explore fermentation and polymer isolation techniquesto producethe biodegradable polymer that is compatible with common fertilizers and can be processed into PCFusing standard, commonprocessing techniques.Successful completion of this project would benefit farmers by reducing fertilizer use and increasing soil carbon. Fertilizer manufacturers using this technology would again be able to market PCFs in the EU market. The adaptation of this technology would provide benefits to society and the environment by reducing water pollution through fertilizer runoff and decreasing microplastics in the soil and watersheds.