Preparation and characterization of some phosphoborosilicate glasses containing some micronutrients as plant fertilizers

ABSTRACT

Four phosphoborosilicate glasses containing one or more of the micronutrients namely Cu, Zn, Fe, were prepared using analytical grade chemicals by melting in an electric furnace at about 1400°C for 2hr. The melts being calcined at about 450°C, were carefully crushed to grains of 2mm size. The release rate of the glass grains of 2mm size in 0.4%HC1 solution, 2% citric acid solution, and distilled water at room temperature was determined using a standard grain method for immersion time intervals varying between 1 to 4 weeks. The concentrations of K and P ions released into the leaching solutions were determined. The results obtained revealed that some of the prepared plant fertilizer samples led to a significant increase in the plant growth better than that observed in case of the traditional fertilizers. Furthermore, the extents of K and P ions released increased by increasing the time of immersion