By Jamie Martin
Researchers have made a breakthrough in agricultural science that could transform fertilizer efficiency and crop nutrition worldwide.
At the University of Saskatchewan's Canadian Light Source (CLS), the team from the University of Adelaide employed advanced techniques to pinpoint how fertilizers can be optimized for zinc delivery.
Rodrigo da Silva from the University of Adelaide explained, "Our group initially thought the type of zinc compound in the fertilizer would determine its effectiveness.
However, our findings at the CLS beamline showed that it's actually the pH that influences zinc solubility in fertilizers, not merely the compound type."
The research revealed that acidic conditions enhance the water solubility of zinc in phosphate fertilizers, contrary to the neutral effects seen in more alkaline conditions. This discovery could lead to fertilizers that are more effective in delivering zinc to crops, which is crucial for growth and nutrition.
Further innovations include a barrier coating for fertilizer granules, which prevents zinc from interacting with phosphate, thereby increasing its uptake by plants. This method has shown promise in early tests, with treated plants exhibiting higher zinc absorption.
This groundbreaking research, supported by The Mosaic Company and published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal, has already led to patented technologies promising to revolutionize zinc fertilization practices. These advancements aim to boost crop yields and improve food quality by ensuring more effective nutrient delivery.
"It is crucial to improve zinc fertilization practices, to maximize yields and produce more nutritional food," says da Silva. This research paves the way for the development of next-generation fertilizers that could significantly benefit global agriculture.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: National