The Institute of Applied Materials Science under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has successfully developed and tested a slow-release NPK fertilizer combined with a moisture-retaining agent for key industrial crops in the Central Highlands.
Research Findings and Benefits
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Through field trials, scientists found that applying slow-release NPK together with a moisture-retention compound is far more effective than the conventional fertilizers currently used by farmers in the region. The approach improves economic efficiency, lowers input costs, and is environmentally friendly—giving farmers a new perspective on sustainable industrial crop cultivation.
Pilot Experiments
Experiments were carried out on Arabica coffee in Đắk Ha commune (Đắk Glong district, Đắk Nông province) and on tea plants in Lộc Thanh commune (Bảo Lộc city, Lâm Đồng province).
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Tea (8 years old): When the same total amount of fertilizer as the control plot was applied, yields increased by 3.2%. Even when using only 70% of the usual fertilizer dose, yields still increased by 8.1% compared to the control.
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Arabica coffee (3 years old): Under farmers’ traditional fertilization methods, yields averaged 7.5 tons of green beans per hectare. Using slow-release NPK at just 70% of the usual fertilizer rate, yields rose to 10.2 tons per hectare.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Based on these results, scientists emphasize that slow-release fertilizers can cut labor, storage, and transport costs significantly. They are also much more environmentally friendly than conventional fertilizers.
Recent studies show that crops typically absorb only about 30% of applied nitrogen and around 40% of phosphorus and potassium, with the rest lost through leaching or decomposition. Traditionally, most farmers fertilize industrial crops largely by experience, with limited application of modern agronomic techniques—leading to constrained yields and inconsistent product quality.
Outlook
The research demonstrates a high potential for real-world application of slow-release NPK fertilizers across a variety of crops. With rising chemical fertilizer prices and increasing demands for environmental protection, adopting slow-release NPK with moisture retention is becoming an essential practice for sustainable, high-efficiency crop production.