Manufacturing of slow and controlled release fertilizer

The scope of this chapter is focused on the commercial production of the slow and controlled release fertilizer using the encapsulation and hydrophobic methods. The first method is carried out by adding a low solubility layer on the fertilizer granule surface to control the dissolution of the nutrients, with the coating in the form of organic and inorganic substances. This method is mostly carried out in a batch system with a coating drum or spouting column. The second manufacturing method is simpler with the use of hydrophobic solid materials as matrices mixed and shaped with fertilizer powder and commercially applied in developing countries.