From June 17 to 19, 2024, the XIX Annual Fontagro Project Monitoring Workshop was held, an event where the progress and results achieved in the project "Nanofertilizers in soil and nitrous oxide emissions" were presented.
Four thematic panels were held at the event. Panel 1 titled "New discoveries, technologies and innovation", was the space where researcher Mónica Botero Londoño shared the progress of the project "Nanofertilizers in Soil and Nitrous Oxide Emissions". This project, developed in collaboration between universities in Colombia and Ecuador, aims to quantify the effect of nanofertilizers on fertilization efficiency and the mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions, to improve soil health, the quality of crops and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative is to evaluate the effect of applying fertilizers and nanofertilizers (zeolite, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) on intensive crop production. For this, a process of nanostructuring and characterization of TiO2, ZnO and zeolite nanofertilizers is being developed, through the high-energy mechanical grinding technique, using a planetary mill.
In addition, the technological solution that is sought to be developed during the execution of the project was shared, which includes:
- Manufacture of TiO2, ZnO and zeolite nanofertilizers in a high-energy mill by varying the time, speed and filling factor of the mill,
Establishment of Ray grass crops. - Balanced fertilizer formulations with adequate properties to improve fertilization efficiency.
- Evaluation of the effect of adding fertilizers with nanofertilizers on crops.
- Financial viability analysis of a Spin-Off.
- Technical support, training and socialization of the implemented technologies.
During the presentation, some of the results achieved to date were highlighted, including:
- 1 article published
- 17 degree projects.
- 1 proposal to create a Spin-Off
- 100 trained producers.
- 7 presentations at academic events.
- 10 technical assistance to properties.
- 3 photogrammetric flights.
- 9 outreach videos.
- Improvement of dry biomass production by 25% and nitrogen use efficiency by 24% by adding TiO2 nanofertilizers to fertilizers in Ray Grass crops.
