Nitrogenous zeolite nanomaterial and the possibility of its application in agriculture

New nanotechnological method is proposed to reduce the negative effects of nitrogenous fertilizers and their losses, which involves introduction of nitrogen-containing substance into the structure of natural zeolite. The obtained nanomaterials can be used as a nitrogen fertilizer, which allows the gradual transfer of nitrates into the soil and minimizing fertilization losses. It also significantly reduces groundwater contamination. Also, volatilization as well as drain losses of nitrogen are significantly reduced. Proposed zeolite nanomaterial represents a strong reserve of nitrogen compounds required for feeding the plants. Obtained nanomaterial structure is studied using chemical, X-ray diffractometric and IR spectroscopic methods. Also, nanotechnological process of enrichment and extraction of natural zeolite with ammonium nitrate is established. For proving the effectiveness of proposed nitrogenous fertilizer tests were conducted on corn crop (108 m2) where the average harvest on the recording area amounted 92.6 kg. In addition to the field test, the production test was also conducted on 1 ha where the increased corn crop reached 1.4 t/ha which is equal to 18.9%.