Controlled release nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (CRNPK) compound fertilizer with the function of water retention was prepared, which possessed the core/shell structure. Its core was urea formaldehyde (UF) and polyphosphate potassium (PAK) fertilizer, and the shell was P(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/kaolin (P(AA-co-AM)/kaolin) superabsorbent composite. Analysis results showed that the N, P and K contents were 11.3, 21.1 (shown by P2O5) and 8.6 (shown by K2O) wt%, respectively. The synthesis conditions of inversion suspension polymerization were studied systematically. The water absorbency of the product was 91 g/g in tap water. The swelling rate, slow release and water retention properties of CRNPK were also investigated. Additionally, the effect of temperature on the nutrients release behaviors was studied. The results showed that the product had high initial swelling rate, and the product not only had a good slow release property but also excellent water retention ability, which could effectively improve the utilization of fertilizer and water resource at the same time. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.