What advantages does controlled-release fertilizer have compared to conventional fertilizer?

　　Controlled-release fertilizers represent an advanced form of slow-release fertilizers, primarily employing a coating technology to regulate nutrient release, thereby achieving safety, long-term efficacy, and high efficiency. They constitute a key direction in the modernization of fertilizer production and are well-suited for mechanized farming, particularly in meeting the demand for simultaneous seed‑fertilizer application.

　　What advantages does controlled-release fertilizer have compared to conventional fertilizer?

　　1) Improve fertilizer use efficiency and reduce fertilizer application rates. In China, the seasonal utilization rates of fertilizers are approximately 30%–35% for nitrogen, 15%–25% for phosphorus, and 35%–50% for potassium. This indicates that a substantial portion of applied fertilizer remains ineffective. Controlled-release fertilizer By controlling nutrient release to closely synchronize it with crop demand, the seasonal utilization efficiency of nutrients is significantly enhanced. The released nutrients not only meet the crops’ uptake and use requirements but also prevent root and seedling damage and reduce losses and waste. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the application of controlled-release fertilizers yields substantial benefits, including increased yields, reduced fertilizer consumption, minimized environmental losses, and improved fertilizer-use efficiency. Nutrient-use efficiency can be 10% to 30% higher than that of conventional fertilizers, with nitrogen-use efficiency reaching 50% to 70%. To achieve the same or similar grain yields, fertilizer application rates can be reduced by 10% to 40%.

　　2) Improving soil physical properties. Controlled-release fertilizers not only enhance fertilizer use efficiency and increase crop yields, but also improve the soil’s physicochemical characteristics. Resin-coated urea can elevate soil moisture content, enhance the availability of soil water, and improve the soil’s water‑retention and water‑holding capacities. By regulating nutrient release and delivering nutrients gradually, it helps reduce soil salinity, promote soil microbial activity, and improve soil aggregate structure.

　　3) Reducing the number of fertilization applications helps conserve labor. In rural areas, due to labor shortages, water scarcity, and inadequate irrigation, fertilizer application for crops has become increasingly simplified, with single‑application fertilization now quite common. Currently, most single‑application fertilizers on the market are nitrogen‑based compound fertilizers, which carry the risk of excessive early growth or nutrient deficiency in the later stages. Controlled-release fertilizer It is possible to design fertilizer‑release profiles tailored to the crop growth season, aligning nutrient release with the plant’s uptake requirements so that a single application can meet the crop’s needs throughout its entire growing period. When sowing corn or wheat, one application of fertilizer—applied at planting and left in place until harvest—eliminates the need for additional fertilization. Controlled‑release fertilizers are also well suited for no‑till and reduced‑till farming systems. With high‑quality seeds that meet established standards, seeds and fertilizer can be applied together during planting, followed by irrigation, offering great convenience. Today, many soilless cultivation systems use nutrient solutions; issues such as plant diseases, improper nutrient formulation, or poor seedling development can often be addressed by fine‑tuning the fertilizer composition.

　　4) It can reduce crop diseases and improve the quality of agricultural products. Crop diseases and product quality are related to the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied; application of… Controlled-release fertilizer It helps prevent excessive nitrogen uptake by crops, thereby suppressing diseases and improving quality.

　　5) Reducing environmental pollution. Most fertilizers are readily soluble in water; during rainfall or irrigation, their nutrient components dissolve into the soil solution as ions or molecules and may be lost through surface runoff or leaching. This not only results in a loss of fertilizer nutrients but also lowers fertilizer use efficiency, contributing to environmental pollution. Research indicates that proper management of chemical fertilizers can minimize gaseous and leaching losses, thereby enhancing fertilizer use efficiency and mitigating environmental pollution caused by improper fertilizer application.