KarunaNews Story

Giorgio Rizzo studies plant responses to environmental stressors, such as heat, drought, and prolonged UV irradiation, and develops new fertilizers that can be applied as seed coating to help plants grow stronger and enhance their resistance. Producing NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) fertilizers is one of the most energy-consuming and polluting chemical processes in the world. “It is mandatory to reshape our conception of fertilizers and try to rely, at least in part, on alternative products that are safer, cheaper, and more sustainable,” Rizzo says. He hopes the work will help farmers increase their crop yields without compromising soil quality or plant health. The fertilizers use chitin and chitosan, abundant natural materials that make them far less expensive to produce.