_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: ekwuabu.bertha@edouniversity.edu.ng, ekwuabu.bertha@gmail.com; Journal of Advances in Microbiology 22(9): 51-59, 2022; Article no.JAMB.88391 ISSN: 2456-7116 Sustainable Production of Slow Release Fertilizers for Eco-Nutrient Delivery to Soil Microbial Communities in Nutrient Deficient soils C. B. Ehis-Eriakha a* , C. B. Chikere b and Akaranta O. c a Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Edo State University Uzairue, Edo State, P.M.B.1515, Nigeria. b Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5025, Rivers state, Nigeria. c Department of Pure and Industrial chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5025, Rivers state, Nigeria. Authors’ contributions This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. Author CBEE conducted the study, performed the analysis, wrote the protocol, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author CBC and Author AO conceptualized and supervised the research. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/JAMB/2022/v22i930488 Open Peer Review History: This journal follows the Advanced Open Peer Review policy. Identity of the Reviewers, Editor(s) and additional Reviewers, peer review comments, different versions of the manuscript, comments of the editors, etc are available here: https://www.sdiarticle5.com/review-history/88391 Received 12 April 2022 Accepted 21 June 2022 Published 01 July 2022 ABSTRACT There is a growing need to develop a natural-based slow-release fertilizer for sustained nutrient delivery as a result of the challenges associated with the direct application of chemical fertilizers. In this study, two low crop residues, cassava mesocarp CM and coconut coir dust CD were employed in the formulation and production of slow-release fertilizers (SLR). The proximate and mineral content analysis revealed an appreciable quantity of micronutrients and other soil stabilizers in the crop residues. Super absorbent polymers produced from both crop residues (CM-SAP and CCD- SAP) revealed water absorption positive correlation values as 0.9842and 0.9859 and final dry weight values ranging from 2.66–2.99g and 2.20–2.28g, respectively. NPK garden fertilizer (20:10:10) was encapsulated in to each SAP to create the slow- release properties of the products branded casmes and coco dust. The conductivity analyses performed on the SLR formulations showed a steady release of the nutrient content in to the liquid medium which ranged from 10μs/cm at 30mins to 290μs/ cm at 160mins for casmes while cocodust had a final value of 110μs/cm. Both Original Research Article