A new research hub based at the University of Melbourne in Australia is working to increase the efficiency of fertilisers through the development of new ‘smart fertilisers’ aimed at saving farmers money and reducing impacts on the environment.
The multidisciplinary Hub for Smart Fertilisers will apply plant and soil science, chemistry and chemical engineering to develop new biochemical inhibitors and smart fertilisers to increase the efficiency of nitrogen use by up to 20 percent.
The Hub is a partnership between the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers and Elders Rural Services Australia, and involves representatives from agricultural businesses and development corporations including Ausveg, Bonaccord Ingram, Food and Fibre Gippsland, Grains Research and Development Corporation, and Sensand.
The Hub seeks to transform nitrogen efficiency in intensive agricultural production by developing new knowledge about the way plants take up nitrogen fertilisers, creating smarter fertiliser products and analysing big data to create better tools for agriculture businesses to manage their fertiliser use.
Professor Deli Chen, Hub director and leader of the soils and the environment research group at the University of Melbourne, said the Hub has already made significant progress towards its goals of both individual farm profitability and environmental sustainability.
“The Hub’s research will have real-world impact for farmers, but also help reduce the environmental impact of this critical industry,” said Chen. “We have already had a new nitrification inhibitor patent approved, developed the framework of a smart engineering coating and eco-friendly metal-phenolic networks (MPNs). We have established a new bio-fertiliser research theme and industry placement programs.
“We are also developing evidence-based estimates of environmental and health costs of nitrogen losses and the social benefits of new fertilisers which will be an important source to inform government policy, industry and the community.”
The Hub’s AUD$11.35 million funding includes an investment of $4.95 million from the Australian Research Council, $3.8 million from Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, $2 million from the University of Melbourne, $100,000 from La Trobe University and $500,000 from Elders Rural Services Australia.
Photo: The new hub will apply a multidisciplinary approach to improving the efficiency of fertilisers which will save money and have less impact on the environment. Photo: University of Melbourne
Find out more about CRFs in New AG International’s latest e-book on Slow- Controlled-Release and Stabilized Fertilizers, here.