Targeted nutrient application to tomato plant with MOF/Zeolite composite wrapped with stimuli-responsive biopolymer

Herein, an investigation of the targeted nutrient-delivering potential of MOF-5 with Zeolite composite (MOFZ) is reported for the delivery of nitrogen source, urea in plants. MOF was synthesized by the solvothermal route, and the zeolite core composite was prepared to facilitate high porosity. A chitosan coating was used to create a biocompatible hydrophobic environment around the material to avoid the urea's uncontrolled release and to achieve specific targeting of the material to the roots. The specific interaction of the material with the roots enabling its accumulation on the surface of the roots thus acting as a reservoir of nutrients was explored using electron microscopy. Results revealed that MOFZ composite with chitosan coating had a 94 % loading capacity for urea and displayed a sustained release of urea compared with uncoated MOF that had only 62 % loading. The high loading capacity of Chitosan-coated MOFZ is sufficient to meet the nitrogen needs of the tomato plant (Lycopersicum esculentum) and a single dosage could sustain for more than 9 days in our study.