Coating of nonwovens with potassium nitrate containing carboxymethyl cellulose for efficient water and fertilizer management

This paper presents the generation of an innovative agrotextile material possessing a controlled fertilizer release with an improved water absorption/retention property. To this end, nonwoven fabrics were coated with carboxymethyl cellulose/potassium nitrate solutions. Coatings were carried out on polyvinyl alcohol pre-coated and non-pre-coated structures. Citric acid was used as the cross-linker for carboxymethyl cellulose. Fertilizer release...