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International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences Research Article
Expandable soil pellets with enhanced nutrient (NPK) release
Raja Kumar Parabathina, Mugdha Ashtaputre, Gauri Bhogaonkar and Vishal Lolge
Year : 2026 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 1-4
Received on: 30/05/2026
Revised on: 22/06/2026
Accepted on: 27/07/2026
Published on: 01/09/2026
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Raja Kumar Parabathina, Mugdha Ashtaputre, Gauri Bhogaonkar and Vishal Lolge( 2026).
Expandable soil pellets with enhanced nutrient (NPK) release
. International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences, 11( 5), 1-4.
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Abstract
The present study aimed to develop expandable soil pellets with enhanced nutrient (NPK) release for sustainable agricultural and gardening applications. The pellets were prepared using locally available materials, such as soil, sawdust, and coconut fibres, along with biodegradable binders and essential nutrient sources, including urea, monoammonium phosphate, and potassium chloride. The formulated pellets exhibited desirable physical properties, including moderate bulk density (0.66 g/ml), high water absorption capacity (200%), and gradual disintegration behaviour, indicating good structural stability and suitability for soil fertility. As the pellets were tested in soil, NPK release was observed as a continuous, slow-release process. High nutrient retention percentages (97% for nitrogen and 100% for phosphorus and potassium) indicated minimal nutrient loss and efficient nutrient conservation within the pellets. It was confirmed by the methods Indophenol Blue, Molybdenum Blue, and Tetraphenylborate for NPK, respectively. This gradual release behaviour helps in reducing nutrient leaching and ensures continuous nutrient availability. The results indicate that expandable soil pellets are a viable, sustainable, and cost-effective substitute for traditional fertilisers for improving soil fertility.
Keywords
Biochar, Coconut fibre, Controlled release fertilizer, Expandable soil pellets, NPK release.
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© The Author(s) 2026. This article is published by International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (creativecommons.org), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
