Bentonite

Bentonite's layered clay structure adsorbs active ingredients within its interlayer spaces and on its surfaces. This adsorption slows the immediate release of actives into soil moisture, creating a controlled-release profile that extends the duration of pesticide activity and reduces leaching risk.

When bentonite-based granules are applied to soil, the bentonite component improves soil structure by increasing the cation exchange capacity (CEC), improving water retention in sandy soils, and enhancing the physical condition of soil for root development and microbial activity.

Sodium bentonite is strongly preferred for granule binder applications because it has much higher swelling capacity (15–20x volume) compared to calcium bentonite (4–5x). Higher swelling produces stronger inter-particle bonds during granulation, resulting in harder, more durable agrochemical granules.

Yes. Bentonite is an effective carrier for biofertiliser microorganisms because its porous, adsorptive structure provides a protective habitat for microbial cells, maintains adequate moisture, and significantly extends the shelf life of biological inoculants compared to peat-based carriers.

Bentonite's binding action produces dense, hard granules with low fines generation during handling. Its moisture-retention capacity within the granule prevents excessive drying or uptake of ambient moisture, improving storage stability and extending shelf life.