Slow-release fertilizers have been known to boost crop yields, but their high cost and slow degradation make them less practical for use. In this study, oyster shell (OS) was modified by mechanical ball milling with monosodium glutamate (MSG) wastewater as an activator to prepare activated oyster shell (AOS) with an average particle size of 32.7 nm. Compared to natural oyster shell (NOS), the AOS increased water-soluble Ca by 22 times, expanded the average desorption pore size by 155 %, enhanced the specific surface area by 9 times, and improved the total pore volume by 1587 %. AOS was mixed with traditional fertilizers and extruded to develop a new type of activated oyster-based slow-release compound fertilizer (AOF). Physical effects mainly controlled the slow-release ability of AOF. AOS formed vaterite with a large peak shape, high strength, and well-defined crystal structure, providing more binding sites for NH4+, HPO42−, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. In addition, AOS was rich in Ca-OH and Mg-OH, which increased the potential for ligand exchange with fertilizer ions, which further improved the chemical slow-release properties of AOF. The AOF continuously releases N, P, K, Ca, and Mg nutrients over a period exceeding 70 days. The nutrient release behavior in AOF was accurately described by the logistic equation, the Elovich equation, and the parabolic diffusion equation. AOF increased the dry weight of green plum by 190 % and the yield by 61 %. The AOF prepared in this study proved to be an innovative and environmentally sustainable slow-release fertilizer.
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