SMART fertiliser granules that only give plants as much phosphorus as they
need could soon be helping farmers cut pollution in nearby streams and water
supplies. The granules cut 90 per cent of phosphorus pollution in waterways,
caused by the run-off of excess nutrients, say researchers at Pennsylvania State
University.
Growers do not know exactly how much phosphorus their plants are using at any
particular time, so they tend to play safe and apply too much fertiliser. The
run-off then pollutes waterways.
The granules are made of aluminium oxide particles coated with a phosphorus
compound that binds to the oxide.…
