Common urea's days may be numbered: Brazilian scientists create fertilizer with castor oil and nanoclays that slowly releases nitrogen, improves plant growth, and promises less waste in the field

Common urea’s days may be numbered: Brazilian scientists create fertilizer with castor oil and nanoclays that slowly releases nitrogen, improves plant growth, and promises less waste in the field

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 12/05/2026 at 17:36

3 people reacted to this.

Technology developed by Embrapa, Unaerp, Unesp, and USP uses castor oil and nanoclay to control urea release, retain nitrogen longer in the soil, improve plant absorption, increase biomass production in tests with piatã grass, and reduce environmental losses linked to traditional nitrogen fertilizer use

Researchers from Embrapa, the University of Ribeirão Preto (Unaerp), São Paulo State University (Unesp), and the University of São Paulo (USP) have developed a Brazilian innovation to make fertilizers more efficient.

The group created a coating with a polymer derived from castor oil and mineral clay. This layer makes urea release nitrogen in a controlled manner.

In greenhouse tests with piatã grass, the technology improved nitrogen absorption by plants.

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Brazilian coating controls urea release

Urea leads global use among nitrogen fertilizers, mainly because it contains about 45% nitrogen by mass.

However, its high solubility in soil creates a significant agronomic challenge.

Under normal conditions, the fertilizer dissolves quickly and contributes to significant environmental losses.

According to researcher Caue Ribeiro, from Embrapa, this process increases ammonia volatilization and nitrous oxide emissions.

This gas intensifies the greenhouse effect, which underscores the importance of more efficient technologies.

***Coating based on a polymer derived from castor oil and mineral clay that is capable of controlled urea release. Image: Pedro Octávio/ Embrapa***

Tests show significant difference in nitrogen

In water release tests, uncoated urea released over 85% of its nitrogen in just four hours.

As explained by Professor Ricardo Bortoletto-Santos from Unaerp, the coating with only polyurethane slowed down this process.

In this case, the fertilizer released about 70% of its nitrogen in nine days.

However, the incorporation of just 5% montmorillonite mineral nanoclay drastically changed the result.

With this composition, the fertilizer released only 22% of its nitrogen in the same period.

Nanoclay acts as an intelligent barrier

The internal structure of the coating explains the performance difference.

According to Caue Ribeiro, the nanoclay creates a kind of intelligent barrier within the coating applied to the granules.

In practice, it hinders water passage and chemically interacts with the released nitrogen.

This way, the nutrient remains retained longer and reaches the plants gradually.

This pace more closely matches the absorption capacity of crops.

Research overcomes urea’s environmental challenge

The innovation created a thin, continuous, and homogeneous layer around the urea granules.

This coating, similar to plastic, directly boosted fertilizer performance.

The system also used renewable and biodegradable polyurethane, derived from castor oil.

The matrix received small amounts of montmorillonite, between 2% and 10% relative to the mass of urea.

According to Bortoletto-Santos, this clay has a lamellar structure, similar to stacked platelets on a nanometric scale.

***Coating created by Brazilian researchers seeks to overcome the challenges of common urea, controlling nitrogen release and reducing environmental losses in the soil. Image: Pedro Octávio/ Embrapa***

Piatã grass absorbs more nitrogen in tests

In greenhouse experiments, the nano-clay coated fertilizer increased dry matter production.

It also significantly increased total nitrogen absorption.

According to researchers, the rate reached double that recorded in the control fertilized with uncoated urea.

Therefore, the results highlight the role of nanostructure in nutrient use efficiency.

At the same time, the technology can reduce environmental losses linked to the use of nitrogen fertilizers.

Next step targets the productive sector

Now, researchers are looking for partners to bring the coating to the productive sector.

The proposal seeks to advance with a sustainable alternative for the next generation of controlled-release fertilizers.

With thinner coatings and preserved performance, the technology can make urea use more efficient in the field.

Can this type of Brazilian fertilizer change the way nitrogen is utilized by agriculture in the coming years?

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