Revisiting fertilisers and fertilisation strategies for improved nutrient uptake by plants

Abstract

Meeting human needs within the ecological limits of our planet calls for continuous reflection on, and redesigning of, agricultural technologies and practices. Such technologies include fertilisers, the discovery and use of which have been one of the key factors for increasing crop yield, agricultural productivity and food security. Fertiliser use comes, however, at an environmental cost, and fertilisers have also not been a very economically effective production factor to lift many poor farmers out of poverty, especially in African countries where application on poor soils of unbalanced compositions of nutrients in fertilisers has shown limited impact on yield increase. Agronomic practices to apply existing mineral fertilisers, primarily containing N, P and K, at the right time, the right place, in the right amount, and of the right composition can improve the use efficiency of fertilisers. However, the overall progress to reduce the negative side effects is inadequate for the desired transformation toward sustainable agriculture in poor countries. Globally, there have been no fundamental reflections about the role and functioning of mineral fertilisers over the past 5 decades or more, and compared to other sectors, dismal investments have been made in mineral fertiliser research and development (R&D).In this paper, we reflect on current fertilisers and propose a more deliberate adoption of knowledge of plant physiological processes-including the diversity of mineral nutrient uptake mechanisms, their translocation and metabolism-as an entry point in identifying the physicochemical "packaging" of nutrients, their composition, amount and timing of application to meet plant physiological needs for improved instantaneous uptake. In addition to delivery through the root, we suggest that efforts be redoubled with several other uptake avenues, which as of now are at best haphazard, for the delivery of nutrients to the plant, including above ground parts and seed coating. Furthermore, ecological processes, including nutrient-specific interactions in plant and soil, plantmicroorganism symbiosis, and nanotechnology, have to be exploited to enhance nutrient uptake. It is hoped that concerted R&D efforts will be pursued to achieve these strategies.

Fortification of micronutrients for efficient agronomic production: a review

“…However, the lack of increase in productivity under less favorable biophysical conditions and the human nutrient deficiencies resulting from the consumption of crop produce with low dietary values have spurred the search for more sustainable and appropriate solutions to produce crops with higher yields and nutritional quality. Along this line, a reflection on the need for innovative fertilizers was recently presented by Bindraban et al (2015).…”

Microbial Assisted Foliar Feeding of Micronutrients Enhance Growth, Yield and Biofortification of Wheat

“…Innovative fertilizers required for high yield and nutritional quality food consumed by the human population (Bindraban et al, 2015). Foliar feeding is used when soils or plants that limits some nutrients availability (Voogt et al, 2013).…”

Emerging and Established Technologies to Increase Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Cereals

“…There are indications that microbial inoculants could be integrated into fertilization programs and could potentially reduce nutrient inputs [49]. There are, however, still doubts about the beneficial effect, effectiveness, negative interactions and potential risks, especially concerning the stability of the inoculants over time and under varying climatic conditions.…”