Bio-organic controlled-release fertilizer meets the demand for single-application, mechanized fertilization in large-scale agriculture—Shandong Nongda Fertilizer Industry has achieved leapfrog development.

Technology is the primary productive force and the main driving force behind economic development. Since its establishment, Shandong Agricultural University Fertilizer Technology Co., Ltd. has consistently upheld the core values of “technology, integrity, and responsibility,” with the corporate mission of “enabling more farmers to use better fertilizers.” The company has developed over 80 product varieties across seven major series, with its products now available in more than 20 provinces and municipalities nationwide and exported to Japan, Southeast Asia, and other countries. In 2012, the “Bio-organic Slow-Release Fertilizer Project,” jointly undertaken by the company and its alma mater, Shandong Agricultural University, was included in Shandong Province’s Special Program for Independent Innovation and received 3 million yuan in funding support.

　　According to the head of Shandong Agricultural University Fertilizer Technology Co., Ltd., this project has achieved integration of key technologies by screening composite microbial strains that promote rhizosphere growth and control soil-borne diseases, and by employing encapsulation techniques to enhance the thermal and osmotic stability of microbial formulations. Additionally, the application of ultra-thin coating technology for controlled-release fertilizers and a dual-fluid spray‑coating process has enabled the seamless combination of bioorganic fertilizers and controlled-release fertilizers. The project investigates the mechanisms underlying the synergistic interactions and mutual promotion between these two product categories in field conditions, effectively integrating microbial growth‑promotion and disease‑control functions, organic matter–based soil amendment, and the sustained release of macronutrients. This approach has led to the development of a novel bioorganic–controlled-release fertilizer, which is now being tested and demonstrated in field trials.

　　China’s microbial fertilizer and controlled-release fertilizer industries have reached maturity, yet each still faces its own limitations. How to organically integrate the “three pillars”—biological, organic, and slow‑release/controlled‑release—into a single product, thereby developing novel fertilizers that both meet crop production needs and significantly improve soil health, represents a new challenge for China’s agricultural sector as it seeks to achieve both rapid and sustainable growth. “The development and application of bio‑organic slow‑release fertilizers can address the current drawback of applying biological, organic, and chemical fertilizers separately, while also meeting the demands of modern agriculture for mechanized, single‑application fertilization. These products save labor and time, enhance soil fertility, and help alleviate the crises of labor shortages and an aging farming population. By boosting agricultural productivity while reducing labor requirements, they provide strong support for addressing key national agricultural issues,” said the official.

　　The implementation of this project integrates the three key pillars of modern agriculture—biological efficacy, organic long‑term release, and controlled‑release efficiency—into conventional industry‑standard fertilizers. By applying biotechnology to macronutrient fertilizers, it has driven the upgrading of traditional biofertilizer production toward higher concentrations. The combined effects of biological activity, organic matter, and controlled‑release technology have disrupted conventional fertilization practices, propelling a shift from simple nutrient supplementation toward an eco‑organic, composite agricultural model that incorporates simultaneous seed‑fertilizer application and mechanized farming.

　　Through nearly one year of trial and demonstration, the project has promoted and applied 80,000 tons of new products, directly creating employment for 155 workers. Thanks to its integrated bio‑organic‑slow‑release formulation, it delivers three key benefits in a single application, reducing agricultural labor requirements by 800,000 person‑days. This approach not only conserves substantial inputs used in fertilizer production—particularly non‑renewable resources essential to human society—but also curtails resource waste and helps address the growing problem of agricultural non‑point source pollution. Moreover, long-term use purifies and restores soil health, enhances crop quality and food safety, and supports sustainable agricultural development, making a significant contribution to the agricultural economy.

　　According to statistics, since the project’s implementation, cumulative sales revenue has reached RMB 177.261 million, with profits and taxes totaling RMB 7.696 million. Chen Shigeng stated, “The further in-depth application of these technological products will undoubtedly propel the new‑type fertilizer industry to achieve another leap forward and facilitate adjustments to the crop‑specific fertilization package model.”