Technological innovations in organic fertilizers advances, applications, and future prospects: A review

Abstract

In addition to the numerous benefits to crop quality and productivity, organic fertilizers contribute to sustainable agriculture through their effects on soil health, nutrient availability, soil biodiversity, and decreased reliance on chemical fertilizers. New biotechnologies, such as bio-based fertilizers (microbial inoculants, biochar and vermicompost), precision agriculture techniques (soil sensors, drone mapping and data analytics) and controlled-release organic fertilizers (CROFs) with bio-polymer coatings and hydrogel based systems, have contributed to improving nutrient-use efficiency, reducing environmental impact and enhancing crop productivity. Worldwide pilot studies reveal that these technologies hold promise in increasing yield, reducing nutrient losses and improving economic and environmental viability of organic farming systems. Although there are challenges, such as the heterogeneous nutrient content, slow release of nutrients, expensive transportation, and insufficient knowledge among farmers, these solutions bring promising options to maximize organic fertilization in both smallholder and large-scale farming. This review delineates the recent progress, applications, and future perspectives of the innovation technologies in organic fertilizers, focusing on their importance to sustainable, productive, and environment-friendly agriculture.