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Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(06): 415-425
415
Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2021.1006.044
Zeolites Encapsulated with Organic Matrices in Vegetable
and Ornamental Plants Fertilization
Domenico Prisa*
CREA Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Council for Agricultural
Research and Economics, Via dei Fiori 8, 51012 Pescia, PT, Italy
*Corresponding author
A B S T R A C T
International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences
ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 10 Number 06 (2021)
Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com
The aim of this research was to evaluate the fertilizing capacity of an innovative
zeolite product, characterised by an encapsulated structure with an organic matrix on
vegetable and ornamental plants and the interaction with soil microorganisms present
in the cultivation substrates. The experiments, started in January 2021, were conducted
in the greenhouses of CREA-OF in Pescia (PT), Tuscany. The experimental groups
were: i) group control, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; ii)
group with zeolite 21% ammoniacal nitrogen; iii) group with zeolite coated with
Ecoat; iv) group with zeolite 21% ammoniacal nitrogen, SO3 57.7% with nitritification
inhibitor dcd (dicyandiamide) and DMPP 3,4 dimethylpyrazole-phosphate. The trial
carried out on strawberry and Polygala myrtifolia actually showed how the use of
zeolite can improve the fertilizing properties of the substrate. In particular, the use of
encapsulated zeolite resulted in an increase in plant height, vegetative and root weight,
number and flowers life, number and weight of fruits in strawberry and Polygala
myrtifolia. In addition, there were changes in substrate pH, microbiological count and
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content depending on the type of zeolytic product
used. Research has shown that the use of loaded zeolite can significantly improve the
agronomic and production quality of strawberry and Polygala myrtifolia plants. For
example, Ecoat treatment with zeolite encapsulated with organic matrices in
strawberries resulted in a pot production of 39.61 fruits and a weight of 36.39 g/fruit,
compared to 24.21 and 26.48 g/fruit for the untreated control. While in Polygala
myrtifolia the same treatment (Ecoat) resulted in 48.00 flowers per plant and a flowers
life of 9.20 days compared to 34.86 flowers and 6.20 of the control. The trial also
showed that treatment with Ecoat can promote the development of microbial colonies
in the substrate, 3.5 x 104 cfu/g compared with 2.3 x 102 cfu/g in the control in
strawberries and 3.2 x 104 cfu/g compared with 2.6 x 102 cfu/g in Polygala myrtifolia.
In addition, the application of these aluminosilicates in substrates can influence the pH
and the microbial component that is essential for the cultivation and defence of plants.
The Ecoat product that performed best in the trial can play the role of both a nitrogen-
based fertiliser and, thanks to its organic matrix, of stimulating microbial development
in the substrate in which the plants are grown.
Ke yw ord s
Sustainable
agriculture;
Zeolites;
Ornamental plants;
Organic farming;
Biofertilizers
Accepted:
12 May 2021
Available Online:
10 June 2021
Article Info
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(06): 415-425
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Introduction
Origin and structure of zeolites
Zeolites are special minerals with unique
properties. These incredible minerals were
discovered in 1756 by A. F. Constedt, who
published a scientific article entitled
“Observation and description of an unknown
kind of rock to be named “zeolites”. Since
then there have been numerous studies of
these minerals. Their numerous applications
have led to researchers from numerous
companies all over the world, and numerous
scientists have described their chemical and
physical properties, and artificially create new
ones (Mumpton, 1978; Prisa, 2020a; Prisa,
2020b). Zeolites are minerals belonging to the
silicate group The zeolite family consists of 52
different mineralogical species. characterised
by having:
Very open structure, with cavities ranging
from 30% to 50% of the mineral volume;
Presence of channels linking the cavities of
the mineral and the outside of the crystal.
The general chemical formula of zeolites is
schematically as follows:
Ma Bb [Al(a+2b) Sin-(a+2b) O2n] x mH2O
Zeolites have hydrothermal or diagenetic
genesis (Gottardi and Galli, 1985).
Chemical and physical properties of zeolites
Because of their particular structure and
chemical composition, zeolites have unique
properties
High and selective cation exchange capacity
(CSC)
Cations within the interstices (cavities and
channels) can easily be removed and replaced
by other elements. maintaining the balance of
positive cationic charges.
Reversible dehydration
Zeolites are hydrated minerals; the water
content of zeolites varies from 10% to 20% of
the mineral's weight. When the mineral is
heated to 350 - 400°C, the water is completely
lost. The process of rehydration is infinitely
reversible, because it does not damage the
molecular structure of the mineral. In addition
rehydration always takes place in such a way
as to bring the zeolite a water content in
balance with the humidity of the environment.
Molecular adsorption
Interstices (structural channels and cavities)
can be made available for the selective
adsorption of liquid or gaseous molecules. The
adsorption capacity increases with higher
pressure and lower temperature.
Catalytic behaviour
Closely linked to the crystal structure are the
extraordinary catalytic properties of these
minerals. The enormous internal surface area
useful for catalysis (Alexiev and Djourova,
1988).
Applications in agriculture and floriculture
In agriculture, zeolitites can be used either in
their natural state, together with traditional
fertilisers (manure, slurry, soluble nitrogen,
potassium and phosphorous salts) or after
natural or artificial enrichment (potassium,
ammonium). The beneficial effects of
zeolitites are related to the specific soil, and
the quantity and quality depend on the kind of
crop (Galli and Passaglia 2011).
The addition of natural zeolites to open field
or greenhouse soils ensures: the neutralisation
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(06): 415-425
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of excess soil acidity; the release of plant-
nutrient potassium present in the zeolites; the
capture of potassium and ammonia from
fertilisers so that they are not immediately
lost; the increase in the amount of nutrients to
the crop and the reduction by leaching; the
release of phosphorus and the slowing down
of the retrogradation process of monocalcium
phosphate from fertilisers; reducing the uptake
of harmful and radioactive elements by crops;
in sandy soils increasing cation exchange
capacity, increasing water retention while
maintaining the same degree of permeability;
reducing the temperature range in the soil; in
clay soils increasing the degree of soil aeration
and permeability (Gualtieri et al., 1999; Prisa,
2019a).
The commercial use of natural zeolites is still
in its beginning stage, but more than 300,000
tonnes of zeolite-rich tuff is mined annually in
the United States, Japan, Bulgaria, Hungary,
Italy, Yugoslavia, Korea, Mexico, Germany
and the Soviet Union. Natural zeolites have
found applications as fillers in the paper
industry, as lightweight aggregates in
construction, cement and concrete, as ion
exchangers in water and municipal effluent
purification, as traps for radioactive species in
nuclear plant wastewater, in oxygen
production, as catalysts for oil fields, as acid-
resistant absorbents and in natural gas drying
and purification (Passaglia et al., 1997).
In this experiment, new zeolite products were
evaluated, as these minerals have several
interesting characteristics for use in
agriculture, particularly in horticulture, the use
of zeolites in open field and greenhouse led to
an increase in total product yield and
improved plant development on table
tomatoes (Bazzocchi et al., 1996) celery
(Prisa, 2019a), courgettes and melons
(Passaglia and Poppi, 2005a), vegetables and
fruits (Passaglia and Poppi, 2005b; Prisa,
2019b). In floriculture, the use of zeolites
resulted in improved growth and increased
resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in
several ornamental species (Prisa, 2019c,d,e).
The objective of this research was to evaluate
the fertilising capacity of an innovative zeolite
product (Figure 1), characterised by an
encapsulated structure with an organic matrix
on vegetable and ornamental plants and the
interaction with soil microorganisms present
in the cultivation substrates.
Materials and Methods
The experiments, started in January 2021,
were conducted in the greenhouses of CREA-
OF in Pescia (PT), Tuscany, Italy (43°54′N
10°41′E) on strawbarry (Fragaria x ananassa
cv Candonga®Sabrosa) (Figure.2A) and
Polygala myrtifolia plants (Figure.2B). The
plants were placed in pots ø 20 cm; 30 plants
per thesis, divided into 3 replicas of 10 plants
each. Plants in the control thesis, were
fertilized with a controlled release fertilizer (2
kg m-3 Osmocote Pro®, 9-12 months with 190
g/kg N, 39 g/kg P, 83 g/kg K) mixed with the
growing medium before transplanting. The
experimental groups were:
group control (CTRL) (peat 60% + pumice
40%), irrigated with water and substrate
previously fertilized;
group with zeolite 21% ammoniacal nitrogen
(2 g per litre of substrate) (WH);
group with zeolite coated with Ecoat (mix of
minerals with high cation exchange and
natural activators) (2 g per litre of substrate)
(BR); group with zeolite 21 % ammoniacal
nitrogen, SO3 57.7 % with nitritification
inhibitor dcd (dicyandiamide) and DMPP 3,4
dimethylpyrazole-phosphate (2 g per litre of
substrate) (BL).
The plants were watered 2 times a week and
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(06): 415-425
418
grown for 5 months. The plants were irrigated
with drip irrigation. The irrigation was
activated by a timer whose program was
adjusted weekly according to climatic
conditions and the fraction of leaching.
On May 13, 2021, plants height, vegetative
and roots weight, flowers number and life,
fruits number and weight, substrate microbial
count, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium content of the substrate were
analysed.
Analysis methods
pH: For the ph measurement 1 kg of substrate
was taken from each thesis, 50 g of the
mixture was placed inside a beaker with 100
ml of distilled water. After 2 hours the water
was filtered and analysed;
microbial count: direct determination of total
microbic charge by microscopy of cells
contained in a known volume of sample
through the use of counting chambers (Thoma
chamber). The surface of the slide is etched
with a grid of squares of which the area of
each square is known. Determination of viable
microbial load following serial decimal
dilutions, spatula seeding (1 ml) and plate
counts after incubation;
total phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen
analysis: Analyses are performed using a light
source with a 3-wavelength narrow-band
interference filter, which is fast and accurate
(4 minutes). At the end of the measurement
the result can be transferred to the PC.
Analysis equipment
IP67 PHmeter HI99 series – Hanna
instruments
Lysimeter for collecting solution samples
from soil (HI83900) - Hanna instruments
Benchtop photometer for nutrient analysis in
agriculture - HI83325 - Hanna instruments
Combined test kit for soil analysis - HI3896 -
Hanna instruments
microbial diversity of culturable cells
(Vagnerova and Macura, 1974)
Statistical analysis
The experiment was carried out in a
randomized complete block design. Collected
data were analysed by one-way ANOVA,
using GLM univariate procedure, to assess
significant (P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001)
differences among treatments. Mean values
were then separated by LSD multiple-range
test (P = 0.05). Statistics and graphics were
supported by the programs Costat (version
6.451) and Excel (Office 2010).
Results and Discussion
The trial carried out on strawberry and
Polygala myrtifolia actually showed how the
use of zeolite can improve the fertilising
properties of the substrate. In particular, the
use of encapsulated zeolite resulted in an
increase in plant height, vegetative and root
weight, number and flowers life, number and
weight of fruits in strawberry and Polygala
myrtifolia. In addition, there were changes in
substrate pH, microbiological count and
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content
depending on the type of zeolytic product
used.
In (Table 1), in strawberry cv
Candonga®Sabrosa there was an increase in
plant height in (BR) with 38.82 cm compared
to 38.12 cm in (WH), 37.56 cm in (CTRL) and
37.40 cm in (BL). Regarding vegetative
weight, thesis (BR) was the best with 285.05
g, followed by (BL) with 258.07 g, (WH)
262.19 g and (CTRL) with 243.57 g (Figure
3A, 3C). The same trend for root weight
where (BR) showed a weight of 165.02 g,
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(06): 415-425
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(BL) 156.05 g, (WH) 144.45 g and (CTRL)
132.54 g (Figure 4A). In terms of number of
fruits, (BR) was the best thesis with 39.61,
followed by (BL) with 34.42 and (WH) with
32.46, finally (CTRL) 24.21. In terms of fruit
weight, (BR) was the best thesis with 36.39 g,
followed by (WH) with 31.43 g, (BL) with
30.41 g and the untreated control with 26.48 g.
In (Table 2), Polygala myrtifolia showed
significant increase in plant height in thesis
(BR) with 46.62 cm followed by (BL) with
43.33 cm and (WH) with 43.31 cm, finally the
untreated control with 40.90 cm. For
vegetative weight, thesis (BR) was the best
with 377.52 g, followed by (WH) with 371.56
g, (BL) 370.39 g and (CTRL) with 367.57 g
(Figure.3B, 3D). Also for root weight, (BR)
showed a weight of 262.07 g, (BL) 256.25 g,
(WH) 252.00 g and (CTRL) 244.17 g (Figure
4B). In terms of number of flowers, (BR) was
the best thesis with 48.00, followed by (WH)
with 42.11 and (BL) with 39.23, finally
(CTRL) with 34.86. Also in respect of
flowering duration theses (BR) and (BL) were
the best with 9.20 and 8.60 days respectively.
They were followed by (WH) with 7.80 days
and the untreated control with 6.20 days.
In (Table 3), the results concerning the
mineral and microbiological content of the
different strawberry test plots were shown. As
far as the thesis (BR) was the one that showed
a lower pH with 6.5, also the highest number
of microorganisms 3.5 x 104 cfu/g was found.
Regarding the nitrogen content, the thesis
(BR) and (WH) were the best with 1.33 mg/kg
and 1.27 mg/kg respectively. For phosphorus
content, thesis (BR) was also the best with
28.41 mg/kg, followed by (WH) with 27.61
mg/kg, (BL) with 16.15 mg/kg and finally the
control with 24.36 mg/kg. For potassium, the
best thesis was (BR) with 100.24 mg/kg,
followed by (WH) with 98.90 mg/kg, (BL)
with 92.43 mg/kg and finally the untreated
control with 90.33 mg/kg.
In (Table 4), the results concerning the
mineral and microbiological content of the
different experimental theses of Polygala
myrtifolia were shown. As in strawberry, the
lowest pH found in Polygala myrtifolia was
6.5 in (BR), and the highest number of
microorganisms 3.2 x 104 cfu/g was found in
this thesis. With regard to the nitrogen
content, the thesis (BR) was the best with 1.56
mg/kg. For the phosphorus content, the thesis
(BR) was also the best with 29.46 mg/kg,
followed by (WH) with 27.54 mg/kg, (BL)
with 26.57 mg/kg and finally the control with
25.33 mg/kg. For potassium, the best thesis
was (BR) with 102.53 mg/kg, followed by
(WH) with 95.04 mg/kg, (BL) with 92.25
mg/kg and finally the untreated control with
89.05 mg/kg.
Zeolite are called open-structure
aluminosilicates due to their unique crystal
structure in which molecular-sized channels
pass through the crystal lattice giving it a high
degree of porosity. Depending on their charge
and size, cations can be weakly retained in the
pore structure where they can be replaced by
other competing ions depending on the
interactions between the aluminosilicate
structure, the ions and the ionic properties of
the external solution. Zeolites are used in
various sectors such as water purification,
petrochemical industry, animal breeding and
as biostimulants in horticulture, because they
are real molecular sieves (Leggo et al., 2001).
In agriculture, the use of granular zeolites (0-3
mm and 3-6 mm) introduced in soil or open
field cultivation substrates can improve
various aspects of cultivation such as seed
germination, rooting of cuttings, plant growth
for greater efficiency in the use of water,
greater resistance to water and salt stress
(Prisa, 2019f).
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Table.1 Evaluation of zeolites on agronomic characters of strawberry cv Candonga®Sabrosa
Groups
Plant height
(cm)
Vegetative
weight
(g)
Roots weight
(g)
Fruits
number
(n°)
Fruits
weight
(g)
CTRL
37.56 b
243.57 c
132.54 d
24.21 d
26.48 c
WH
BL
BR
38.12 ab
37.40 b
38.82 a
262.19 b
258.07 b
285.05 a
144.45 c
156.05 b
165.02 a
32.46 c
34.42 b
39.61 a
31.43 b
30.41 b
36.39 a
ANOVA
**
***
***
***
***
One-way ANOVA; n.s. – non significant; *,**,*** – significant at P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively; different
letters for the same element indicate significant differences according to Tukey’s (HSD) multiple-range test (P =
0.05).Legend: (CTRL): control; (WH): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen; (BR): Ecoat; (BL): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen,
SO3 57.7 % with nitritification inhibitor dcd (dicyandiamide) and DMPP 3,4 Dimethylpyrazole-phosphate
Table.2 Evaluation of zeolites on agronomic characters of Polygala myrtifolia
Groups
Plant
height
(cm)
Vegetative
weight
(g)
Roots
weight
(g)
Flowers
number
(n°)
Flowers
life
(days)
CTRL
40.90 c
367.57 c
244.17 d
34.86 d
6.20 c
WH
BL
BR
43.31 b
43.33 b
46.62 a
371.56 b
370.39 b
377.52 a
252.00 c
256.25 b
262.07 a
42.11 b
39.23 c
48.00 a
7.80 b
8.60 a
9.20 a
ANOVA
***
***
***
***
***
One-way ANOVA; n.s. – non significant; *,**,*** – significant at P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively; different
letters for the same element indicate significant differences according to Tukey’s (HSD) multiple-range test (P =
0.05).Legend: (CTRL): control; (WH): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen; (BR): Ecoat; (BL): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen,
SO3 57.7 % with nitritification inhibitor dcd (dicyandiamide) and DMPP 3,4 Dimethylpyrazole-phosphate
Table.3 Evaluation of the mineral and microbial content of the cultivation substrate of
strawberry cv Candonga®Sabrosa
Groups
pH
Microbial
Count (cfu/g)
N total
(mg/kg)
P
(mg/kg)
K
(mg/kg)
CTRL
7.1
2.3 x 102 c
0.81 c
24.36 d
90.33 d
WH
BL
BR
6.7
6.8
6.5
3.4 x 102 c
2.2 x 103 b
3.5 x 104 a
1.27 a
0.94 b
1.33 a
27.61 b
26.15 c
28.41 a
98.90 b
92.43 c
100.24 a
ANOVA
-
***
***
***
***
One-way ANOVA; n.s. – non significant; *,**,*** – significant at P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively; different
letters for the same element indicate significant differences according to Tukey’s (HSD) multiple-range test (P =
0.05).Legend: (CTRL): control; (WH): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen; (BR): Ecoat; (BL): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen,
SO3 57.7 % with nitritification inhibitor dcd (dicyandiamide) and DMPP 3,4 Dimethylpyrazole-phosphate
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(06): 415-425
421
Table.4 Evaluation of the mineral and microbial content of the cultivation substrate
of Polygala myrtifolia
Groups
pH
Microbial
count
(cfu/g)
N total
mg/kg
P
mg/kg
K
mg/kg
CTRL
7.1
2.6 x 102 c
0.76 d
25.33 d
89.05 d
WH
BL
BR
6.7
6.8
6.5
4.6 x 102 c
2.3 x 103 b
3.2 x 104 a
1.27 b
0.90 c
1.56 a
27.54 b
26.57 c
29.46 a
95.04 b
92.25 c
102.53 a
ANOVA
-
***
***
***
***
One-way ANOVA; n.s. – non significant; *,**,*** – significant at P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively; different
letters for the same element indicate significant differences according to Tukey’s (HSD) multiple-range test (P =
0.05).Legend: (CTRL): control; (WH): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen; (BR): Ecoat; (BL): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen,
SO3 57.7 % with nitritification inhibitor dcd (dicyandiamide) and DMPP 3,4 Dimethylpyrazole-phosphate
Fig.1 Detail of the fertiliser granules used in the experiment, (WH): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen;
(BR): Ecoat; (BL): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen, SO3 57.7 % with nitritification inhibitor dcd
(dicyandiamide) and DMPP 3,4 dimethylpyrazole-phosphate
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422
Fig.2 Detail of the fertiliser granules used in the experiment, (WH): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen;
(BR): Ecoat; (BL): 21 % ammoniacal nitrogen, SO3 57.7 % with nitrification inhibitor dcd
(dicyandiamide) and DMPP 3,4 Dimethylpyrazole-phosphate
Fig.3 Comparison of different zeolite treatments in strawberry (A) and Polygala myrtifolia (B).
Effect of BR treatment: Ecoat on strawberry (C) and Polygala myrtifolia (D)
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(06): 415-425
423
Fig.4 Effect of BR treatment (Ecoat) on roots growth of strawberry (A) and
Polygala myrtifolia (B)
In this experiment, it was particularly
noticeable that substrates enriched with
zeolite, in particular Ecoat with encapsulated
zeolite, resulted in a significant increase in all
agronomic parameters analysed (plant height,
vegetative and root weight, fruits number and
weight, flowers number and duration) in
strawberry and Polygala myrtifolia. These
aspects have already been confirmed in other
trials on vegetable and ornamental plants,
where zeolite improved the fertilising capacity
of the substrate and plant protection. The trial
also showed that mineral-loaded zeolite can
act as a slow-release fertiliser, influencing the
pH of the substrate and the microbial
component. A number of articles published on
this subject show that an increase in the soil
microbial population is characteristic of soils
amended with zeolitic minerals, which
influence their fertility (Prisa, 2020a). Other
work (Leggo et al., 2001). shed light on the
interaction between the ion exchange
properties of the mineral zeolite and the humic
component of the organic material, which
cause high ion mobility in the soil solution for
organic vegetable production.
Zeolite is able to retain water and fertilizer,
which reduces leaching into the groundwater
and allows optimization of plant use. This is
of particular importance when water with high
salt concentrations is used (chabazite captures
sodium and releases potassium or even in the
case of nitrate problems, as zeolite regenerates
in the presence of nitrogen) (Mackown and
Tucker, 1985). The interesting aspect found in
this study was that the microbial presence
improves the cation exchange characteristics
of zeolite. The bacteria probably accelerate the
passage of nutrients captured by zeolite to the
plant through acidification of the substrate,
which solubilises the minerals and makes
them more available to the plant. This
mechanism can occur naturally over a long
period of time in the substrate and in the field
with indigenous microorganisms normally
present, but it can be accelerated if particularly
performing microbial colonies were added to
zeolite products (Prisa 2020b). Zeolites can
act as a "home" for microorganisms, as is
normally the case in nature with clays. In fact,
under water stress conditions, microorganisms
take refuge inside the clay particles until the
environmental conditions are suitable again to
colonize the soil. In particular, the direct
contact of zeolites with the root surface
stimulates the production of mucilaginous
substances (mucigel) by carrying out a
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(06): 415-425
424
lubricating action able to favour the absorption
by the root of minerals and water(Prisa,
2020b; Ferguson et al., 1987).. Evidence
shows that zeolites, once inserted into growing
substrates, can lead to an improvement in the
physiological aspects of plants, in particular
the net photosynthesis rate and chlorophyll
content. A plant that photosynthesizes more
has more energy reserves available for
different metabolic functions. As shown in
some experiments, the use of zeolite does not
cause changes in the immobilisation of C-N
by the biomass. The nitrogen inserted with the
loaded zeolite is immediately available to the
microbial biomass, which causes a bacterial-
dominated environment (low C/N).
Microorganisms immediately feed on the
nitrogen present and influence plant growth
(Prisa, 2020c).
Research has shown that the use of loaded
zeolite can significantly improve the
agronomic and production quality of
strawberry and Polygala myrtifolia plants. In
addition, the application of these
aluminosilicates in substrates can influence
the pH and the microbial component that is
essential for the cultivation and defence of
plants. The Ecoat product that performed best
in the trial can play the role of both a nitrogen-
based fertiliser and, thanks to its organic
matrix, of stimulating microbial development
in the substrate in which the plants are grown.
Acknowledgments
The research is part of the project
"ZEOFERT”: zeolite slow-release
encapsulated for fertilizing vegetable and
ornamental species. Thanks to Fertalis srl for
their cooperation in the trial.
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How to cite this article:
Domenico Prisa. 2021. Zeolites Encapsulated with Organic Matrices in Vegetable and
Ornamental Plants Fertilization. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 10(06): 415-425.
doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2021.1006.044