N,N'-METHYLENE BISACRYLAMIDE-CROSS LINKED POLYACRYLAMIDE FOR CONTROLLED-RELEASE UREA FERTILIZER FORMULATIONS

Controlled release urea fertilizers based on N,N'-methylene bis-acryla mide (NNMBA)-crosslinked polyacrylamide soil conditioner are described . Laboratory preparation and evaluation of coated urea fertilizers wer e conducted. Urea was initially coated with the co-polymer of acrylami de and NNMBA. Ethylene vinylacetate (EVA), natural rubber (NR), and po lyvinylchloride (PVC) were compared with polystyrene (PS) for their su itability to be used as sealant material in coating fertilizer urea wi th the co-polymer of acrylamide and NNMBA. The coated system with EVA was found to have greater slow release character than that with PS whi le NR and PVC systems had a lesser slow release character.