Using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) biomass and humic substances to produce urea-based multi-coated slow release fertilizer

Abstract Urea-based multi-coated slow release fertilizer was produced using water hyacinth, humic substances, and chitosan, with rich in natural organic matter as a solvent. Elemental analysis showed that the nitrogen content of (FERT) around 20%. Swelling tests demonstrated effectiveness hyacinth crosslinker, which reduced permeability material. Leaching FERT released very low concentration ammonium (0.82 mg L −1 ), compared to amount from urea (43.1 ). No nitrate leaching observed for FERT, while leached 13.1 nitrate. In soil, maximum releases after 30 40 days, respectively, reached maxima just 2 5 respectively. The results promising ability reduce losses, well minimize environmental impacts soil–plant-atmosphere system improve efficiency fertilization. Graphic abstract