Researchers from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) and the University of São Paulo (USP) developed a biodegradable material that releases nutrients slowly and prolongedly, favoring plant production and growth. Technology optimizes work and time, generating savings and reducing waste release.

Made from cellulose fiber extracted from sugarcane bagasse, the invention has the appearance of a paper and carries three macronutrients essential for the development of any type of plant: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is biodegradable because it suffers natural decomposition when coming into contact with the environment.

The method was registered as a patent in the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), with the support of the Innovation Agency (AIn) of UFSCar, and is unheard of for this type of use.

The material was developed during the doctorate of Lucas Luiz Messa, conducted at USP pirassununga with scholarship from FAPESP and guidance from Roselena Faez, professor in the Department of Nature Sciences, Mathematics and Education of the Araras campus of UFSCar.

The thickness of the paper varies from 0.12 to 0.21 mm, being possible to use it as packaging, in the production and transport of seedlings, discarding the use of plastics or pots, and also in a fragmented way, in small pieces, to promote the growth and nutrition of plants already in the soil.

In the market, there are already slow and prolonged release fertilizers, as well as biodegradable materials to accommodate the plants. "But these two characteristics in one product are the novelty of technology," says Fae.

The method of obtaining is simple, because sugarcane bagasse – abundant and low cost raw material – has 40% to 44% cellulose for extraction. In addition, the production process does not use solvents and does not generate waste. After this step, macronutrients are incorporated. The exact amount of each varies according to the plant's demand.

The product also allows the insertion of micronutrients, such as magnesium, copper, iron and zinc, important in a smaller amount and in other stages of growth, and prior and detailed studies of each species are necessary.

And, because it is biodegradable, in approximately 45 days the material undergoes natural decomposition, without impact on the environment or damage to plants. "Generally, at a 40-day stage, they have already created new roots and thus support to continue growing from then on," says the professor at UFSCar.

Currently, this nutrition process is done with fertilizers added to the soil manually. "The farmer already inserts excess nutrients because they are soluble. With the rains, they can be taken to rivers and lakes. This generates, in addition to waste, economic and environmental damage", explains Faez.

Another advantage of the new method is the low cost of R$ 0.27 per gram of packaging, something interesting and feasible for small producers of family farming. "Instead of reapplying the fertilizer two to up to four times in a given period [45 days], the producer only uses the material once, until its natural biodegradation. The plant is getting the nutrients needed to strengthen itself without waste. This is especially advantageous for the small producer, who usually works alone or with a small team, because you can devote that time to other activities," he says.

Because it is easily modulated, the technology serves several areas of agriculture – from horticulture and floriculture to longer-cycle crops, such as forest restorations. "It is possible to insert it in eucalyptus seedlings, for example, with the necessary nutrients. This, in fact, is one of our ongoing studies and the prospects are good," Faez said.

The technology is available for commercialization. Companies and people interested in licensing the patent can contact the UFSCar Innovation Agency by e-mail inovacao@ufscar.br.

* With information from the Press Office of UFSCar.

Source: Um só Planeta