Slow release fertilizer preparation from sugar cane industrial waste

Bagasse fly ash is used for preparing slow release fertilizer as the matrices for nutrient storage with molasses as the binder. The two type of commercial fertilizers i.e. ZA (ammonium sulphate) and KCl are mixed with BFA and pressed into a cylindrical pellets. The effect of drying temperature and pelleting pressure on the release behaviour of the two nutrients are observed using a sand bed leaching test. The variation of the processing parameters which altering the pellet porosity are significant in the release of nitrogen but minor for potassium release.