Australia (Commonwealth Union) – With the global shift towards organic farming in the midst of high inflation and food shortages, the need for organic environmentally friendly fertilizers that are effective in generating high yields is the need of the hour. A new research hub at the University of Melbourne is evaluating methods to significantly raise the productivity of fertilizers via the production of new ‘smart fertilizers’ hoping to be economical for farmers and lower the impacts on the atmosphere.
The multidisciplinary Hub for Smart Fertilizers is to use plant and soil science, chemistry and chemical engineering to produce new biochemical inhibitors as well as ‘smart fertilizers’ to elevate the productivity of nitrogen use by up to 20%, which can result in farmers needing less fertilizer. The Hub is a collaboration of the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers and Elders Rural Services Australia, with representation from key agricultural businesses and development firms like Ausveg, Bonaccord Ingram, Food and Fibre Gippsland, Grains Research and Development Corporation, and Sensand.
Food and agribusinesses are essential for the Australian economy, with engagement of over 550,000 individuals, $67 billion (approximately 44 billion US dollars) of added yearly gross value and $41 billion (approximately 27 billion US dollars) in exports. Elevated efficiency and productivity are key to the sector’s global competitiveness and profitability with primary producers affected by increased costs and reduced prices.
The Hub is to be a center for change in nitrogen productivity in rigorous agricultural production by obtaining new information regarding the way plants take up nitrogen fertilizers, producing smarter fertilizer products and evaluating big data, forming better tools for the agriculture businesses in managing fertilizer use. “The Hub’s research will have real-world impact for farmers, but also help reduce the environmental impact of this critical industry,” said Professor Deli Chen, Hub Director and leader of the Soils and the Environment Research Group at the University of Melbourne.
