Journal Article Review Epublish 1 citation
PubMed: 40072193 DOI: 10.3390/nano15050390
Nanofertilizers for Sustainable African Agriculture: A Global Review of Agronomic Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability.
Nanomaterials (Basel) 15(5)
Authors: Queen Khundi, Yaqi Jiang, Yi Sun, Yukui Rui
Affiliations
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
- China Agricultural University Professor's Workstation of Yuhuangmiao Town, Shanghe County, Jinan 250061, China.
- China Agricultural University Professor's Workstation of Sunji Town, Shanghe County, Jinan 250061, China.
Abstract
As Africa's population continues to grow, the need for sustainable agricultural practices has intensified, sparking greater interest in nanofertilizers This review critically evaluates the agronomic efficiency and environmental sustainability of nanofertilizers in the African context. It combines existing research on nanofertilizers' effectiveness, nutrient-use efficiency, and environmental impact. Nanofertilizers have shown a nutrient-use efficiency boost of up to 30% compared to conventional fertilizers. This review also highlights benefits such as enhanced crop yields (up to 25% increase in maize production), reduced chemical fertilizer requirements (up to 40% reduction in nitrogen application), and improved soil health. The analysis informs policy, research, and practice aimed at optimizing nanofertilizer deployment for sustainable African agriculture. The projected global population of 2.4 billion by 2050 highlights that the need for sustainable agricultural solutions has never been more important. Our review conveys an assessment of nanofertilizers' potential contribution to Africa's agricultural sustainability and food security.
MeSH
Nutrients, Agriculture, Nanoparticles, Food, Fertilizers, Research