Degree
Master of Science
Program
Biology
Supervisor
Henry, Hugh A.L
2nd Supervisor
Gillies, Elizabeth R.
Joint Supervisor
Abstract
The use of nitrogen-based fertilizers continues to accelerate with human population growth and increases in global food requirements. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) have been developed to improve the synchronization between nutrient supply and crop nutrient demand. However, many of the current controlled release fertilizers are coated with non-degradable polymers that contribute to accumulation of microplastics within ecosystems. This thesis describes research towards the development of a new class of fertilizer coatings using a self-immolative polymer known as poly (ethyl glyoxylate) (PEtG). PEtG itself does not have suitable properties to produce a viable coating but once blended with another degradable polyester such as polycaprolactone its overall properties improve. I demonstrated that PEtG with a pH-sensitive carbamate end-cap degraded in response to the presence of plant roots, which suggests that fertilizer coatings could be developed with PEtG that may release nutrients more efficiently while degrading into innocuous by products.
Recommended Citation
Heuchan, Spencer, "Plant stimuli-responsive biodegradable polymers for the use in timed release fertilizer coatings" (2018). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 5696.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/5696
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Environmental Chemistry Commons, Integrative Biology Commons, Polymer Chemistry Commons, Polymer Science Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons