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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The future of fertilizers: Controlled-release, organic, and microbial alternatives
ClearNanotechnology-based controlled release of sustainable fertilizers. A review
This review examines nanotechnology-based controlled-release fertilizers using zinc oxide nanoparticle encapsulation, highlighting how nanofertilizers can improve nutrient use efficiency beyond the 40-60% typical of conventional fertilizers while reducing environmental pollution.
Advances in Controlled Release Fertilizers: Cost‐Effective Coating Techniques and Smart Stimuli‐Responsive Hydrogels
This review examines advances in controlled release fertilizer technology, focusing on cost-effective coating techniques and smart hydrogels that release nutrients in response to environmental conditions. Researchers found that while these technologies improve nutrient efficiency and reduce environmental pollution from fertilizer runoff, the coatings themselves can introduce microplastic contamination into soils. The study calls for development of fully biodegradable coating materials that deliver the benefits of controlled release without adding to plastic pollution in agricultural lands.
Research progress on the effects of different fertilizers on soil microorganisms
This review examines how different fertilizer types — chemical, organic, and compound — affect soil microbial communities, summarizing research on how fertilizer-induced changes in microbial diversity and function influence nutrient cycling and crop yield.
Engineering biodegradable coatings for sustainable fertilisers
This review explored engineering biodegradable coatings for controlled-release fertilizers as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic-coated products, addressing concerns about microplastic contamination from agricultural plastic films while maintaining effective nutrient delivery to crops.
Advancements and challenges in controlled-release fertilisers: An approach to integrate biopolymer-based strategies
This review examines controlled-release fertilizers, which are designed to deliver nutrients to plants gradually, and finds that many use synthetic polymer coatings that can leave microplastic residues in soil. The authors highlight biopolymers made from natural materials like chitosan, cellulose, and starch as promising alternatives that can biodegrade without contributing to plastic pollution. The shift toward biodegradable fertilizer coatings could help reduce a significant but often overlooked source of agricultural microplastic contamination.
From Lab to Field: Biofertilizers in the 21st Century
This review examines the development and commercialization of biofertilizers, which contain beneficial microorganisms that help plants absorb essential nutrients. Researchers identified key challenges including scaling from lab to field, improving encapsulation and delivery systems, and navigating inconsistent international regulations. The study highlights biofertilizers as promising eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers for more sustainable agriculture.
Nanofertilizers and Stress Management: Emerging Opportunities for Climate-resilient Farming
This review examines advances in nanofertilizer technology for sustainable agriculture, covering macro-, micro-, bio-, and smart nanofertilizers with controlled-release capabilities. Researchers found that nanoscale nutrient delivery systems can improve crop resilience to environmental stresses while reducing fertilizer waste. The study discusses emerging opportunities for climate-resilient farming through precision nutrient management at the nanoscale.
Environmental sustainability of future fertilizers: tradeoffs between ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching for 11 enhanced efficiency fertilizers
Researchers evaluated 11 enhanced efficiency fertilizers under greenhouse conditions, finding that polymer-coated and inhibitor-based products showed significant performance tradeoffs between ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching. Six fertilizers performed well overall, and the study found that even fertilizers within the same class performed differently depending on the substrate used. The research highlights that polymer coatings on fertilizers, including biodegradable plastics, are a potential environmental source of microplastics.
Environmental sustainability of future fertilizers: tradeoffs between ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching for 11 enhanced efficiency fertilizers
Researchers stress-tested 11 enhanced efficiency fertilizers under controlled greenhouse conditions to compare their performance in reducing ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching. They found strong performance tradeoffs among products, with six fertilizers performing well across both measures, including polymer-coated formulations. The study notes that polymer coatings used in fertilizer technology, including biodegradable options like PLA, represent a potential source of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils.
Environmental sustainability of future fertilizers: tradeoffs between ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching for 11 enhanced efficiency fertilizers
Researchers stress-tested 11 enhanced efficiency fertilizers under greenhouse conditions and found significant performance tradeoffs between reducing ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching. Six fertilizers performed well across both measures, including two inhibitor-based products and four polymer-coated formulations. The study notes that polymer coatings on fertilizers, including those made from biodegradable plastics like PLA, can themselves become sources of microplastics in agricultural soils.
Comparative Study on the Use of Traditional, Conventional and Advanced Methodologies for Sustainable Agriculture – a Review
Not relevant to microplastics — this is a review comparing traditional, conventional, and nano-technology-based fertilisation methods in agriculture.
The challenge of nanotechnology in the field of agricultural applications: Nanofertilizers as an emerging technology
This systematic review covers the development and applications of nanofertilizers — nano-scale nutrient delivery systems for agriculture — as an emerging and more efficient alternative to conventional fertilizers. Precision agriculture using nanotechnology could reduce the reliance on plastic-coated slow-release fertilizers that contribute microplastics to soil.
Waste-Derived Fertilizers: Conversion Technologies, Circular Bioeconomy Perspectives and Agronomic Value
This review examined technologies for converting organic wastes (manure, food residues, sewage sludge, combustion by-products) into fertilizers, evaluating biological, thermal, and chemical processes. The authors noted that waste-derived fertilizers can introduce microplastics and other contaminants into agricultural soils and called for better characterization of these inputs.
Bio-based polyurethane as a sustainable coating material for controlled-release fertilizer
Researchers developed a bio-based polyurethane coating from palm kernel oil to create controlled-release fertilizer as an alternative to petroleum-based coatings. They found that adjusting the coating thickness and composition could effectively regulate how quickly nutrients are released to plants. The study offers a more sustainable approach to agricultural fertilizer delivery that reduces both environmental pollution and dependence on fossil fuel-derived materials.
Current challenges on the widespread adoption of new bio-based fertilizers: insights to move forward toward more circular food systems
This review examines the challenges of adopting bio-based fertilizers made from food and agricultural waste as replacements for synthetic mineral fertilizers. While bio-based fertilizers can improve soil health and reduce reliance on finite resources, barriers include inconsistent nutrient content, concerns about contaminants like microplastics and heavy metals in waste-derived products, and the need for farmer-friendly application methods. The study is relevant because sewage sludge used in some fertilizers is a known source of microplastic contamination in farmland.
Towards Sustainable Management of Mineral Fertilizers in China: An Integrative Analysis and Review
This review examines strategies for sustainable management of mineral fertilizers in China, synthesizing research on improving nutrient use efficiency and reducing environmental impacts from fertilizer overuse. It is an agricultural science study unrelated to microplastics.
Organic Fertilizers in Horticulture
This review examines the use of organic fertilizers in horticulture as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers, discussing their nutrient composition, soil health benefits, and potential drawbacks including microplastic contamination from compost and sewage sludge-based inputs.
Nitrogen: from discovery, plant assimilation, sustainable usage to current enhanced efficiency fertilizers technologies – A review
This review traces the history of nitrogen fertilizers from the Haber-Bosch process to modern enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, noting that less than 50% of applied nitrogen is actually taken up by crops. The rest is lost to the environment through volatilization and leaching, contributing to pollution that threatens both environmental and human health. Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers offer a way to reduce these losses while maintaining crop yields.
Fully bio-based polyurethane coating for environmentally friendly controlled release fertilizer: Construction, degradation mechanism and effect on plant growth
Researchers developed a fully bio-based polyurethane coating for controlled-release fertilizers using castor oil and a plant-derived chemical. Unlike conventional polyurethane coatings that persist in soil as microplastics, this coating showed strong biodegradability while still effectively controlling nutrient release. The study offers a practical solution to reduce microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils from fertilizer coatings.
Recycled Nitrogen for Regenerative Agriculture: A Review of Agronomic and Environmental Impacts of Circular Nutrient Sources
This review evaluates recycled nitrogen fertilizers from urine, manure, compost, digestate, and biosolids as circular alternatives to synthetic nitrogen, assessing their agronomic performance, environmental impacts, and role in building regenerative agricultural systems.
Evaluating Carbon Sequestration and Soil Organic Carbon Enhancement with Innovative Slow-Release Micronutrient Products
Researchers tested innovative slow-release micronutrient fertilizers to see whether they could boost soil carbon storage while supporting wheat growth. They found that certain products increased soil organic carbon levels and improved crop yields compared to conventional fertilizers. The study suggests these products could offer a dual benefit of enhancing agricultural productivity while helping to sequester carbon in soils.
Evaluating novel biodegradable polymer matrix fertilizers for nitrogen‐efficient agriculture
Researchers designed and evaluated biodegradable polymer matrix fertilizers for nitrogen-efficient agriculture, testing their performance in simulated tropical conditions and finding improved nitrogen retention compared to conventional fertilizers, though with some trade-offs in release kinetics.
A critical review of biochar-based nitrogen fertilizers and their effects on crop production and the environment
Researchers reviewed biochar-based nitrogen fertilizers — materials that combine charred organic matter with nitrogen — as a way to reduce fertilizer loss to the environment, which currently contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, while improving crop yields and soil health.
Fertilization and Soil Microbial Community: A Review
This review examines how different types of chemical and organic fertilizers affect soil microbial community composition and function. Researchers found that organic fertilizers generally promote greater microbial diversity and activity compared to chemical fertilizers alone. While focused broadly on soil health, the findings are relevant to understanding how agricultural practices may influence the microbial degradation of environmental contaminants including microplastics.