Abstract
BackgroundA microgranule fertilizer was designed for localized fertilization of soil with controlled release of nutrients. The microgranule matrix was fortified with proteins, which were obtained from food industry byproducts or waste, i.e., whey protein from milk serum, soy protein from soy isolate and egg white protein from chicken egg white powder. The mechanism of the protein decomposition and migration of micro and macromolecule compounds through two different model soil systems was investigated. The potential of the protein fortified fertilizer for localized fertilization of the potted maize seeds was evaluated.ResultsThe study revealed that proteins slowly diffused through soil with simultaneous degradation, which was accompanied with release of ammonia ions. The highest concentration of proteins and degradation products was found in a close vicinity of the microgranule. The microgranules were used as a local fertilizer for maize seeds in the pot experiments. The experiments confirmed statistically significant improvement in root density of maize plant compared to control group.ConclusionsByproducts or waste of food industry, such as the milk serum and soy can be used as a source of proteins that degrade in soil without a pretreatment. The degradation is accompanied with formation of ammonium ions, which can be utilized by plants as a nitrogen source. The fertilizer microgranule should be placed in a close vicinity to the plant seed, since the maximum of the protein concentration and ammonia ions is reached at a very close distance from the microgranule.
Highlights
A microgranule fertilizer was designed for localized fertilization of soil with controlled release of nutrients
Cheap products, which are byproducts or waste of food industry, such as milk serum and soy, were a source of proteins that could be degraded in soil without previous chemical or enzymatic pretreatments
The protein degradation induces formation of ammonium ions which may be utilized by plants as a nitrogen source
Summary
A microgranule fertilizer was designed for localized fertilization of soil with controlled release of nutrients. Particular interest arose in biostimulating additives, including: humic substances, seaweed extracts and amino acids containing products [1,2,3,4]. Biostimulants based on amino acids are produced through chemical synthesis from plant proteins, such as algae, maize or soyabean [9]. Another source is chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis of animals or plant proteins [5, 10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. Protein hydrolysates mainly consist of peptides, oligopeptides and amino acids, but may contain carbohydrates, small amounts of mineral elements, phenols and other compounds. Detailed chemical characteristics of protein hydrolysates depend on the origin of proteins (plant animal material)
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