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The future of fertilizers: Controlled-release, organic, and microbial alternatives
Summary
This review examined innovations in controlled-release, organic, and microbial fertilizers as sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilizers, finding that these approaches can improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce negative environmental outcomes like leaching and greenhouse gas emissions.
As global agriculture navigates the complex challenges of feeding a growing population while mitigating environmental degradation, the transformation of fertilizer technologies has become increasingly vital. Conventional fertilizers, although effective in boosting short-term crop yields, are frequently associated with negative outcomes such as nutrient leaching, groundwater contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term soil health deterioration. In response to these concerns, innovative fertilization strategies are emerging that offer more sustainable solutions. Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) utilize advanced coating technologies to deliver nutrients in sync with plant demand, enhancing nutrient use efficiency and reducing losses. Organic fertilizers contribute to long-term soil fertility by improving soil structure, microbial activity, and organic matter content, while microbial inoculants such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing organisms, and mycorrhizal fungi offer biologically-driven nutrient mobilization. This article reviews the current advancements in CRFs, organic and microbial fertilizers, their mechanisms of action, advantages, limitations, and the synergistic potential of integrated nutrient management (INM) systems. Furthermore, it examines the evolving policy landscape and market trends supporting the adoption of sustainable fertilizers. Together, these innovations offer a pathway toward resilient, productive, and environmentally responsible agriculture.
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