Agriculture and the environment go hand in hand. This is a principle that we cannot stray from. With population growth and the increased demand for food and other natural resources, sustainable agriculture has become a topic that deserves to be highlighted in environmental policy (KAMIYAMA, 2014).
For FAO, cited by Ehlers, 1999, “sustainable agriculture is the management and conservation of the natural resource base and technological and institutional guidance, in order to ensure the continuous achievement and satisfaction of human needs for present and future generations. Such sustainable development (agriculture, forestry and fisheries) results in the conservation of soil, water and animal and plant genetic resources, in addition to not degrading the environment, being technically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable.”
Brazil is a strategic source of food, occupying a central place in the supply of agricultural products and was one of the main countries responsible for ensuring global food security. This position that the country has been achieving confirms one of the expressions, coined in the 1970s, that “Brazil is the breadbasket of the world”. Constant record-breaking production of important crops such as soybeans, corn, cotton, coffee, oranges and sugar cane occurs on soil poor in nutrients, as is the case of the Cerrado, the main region producing agricultural products in the country. This “feat” is only possible with the use of fertilizers to correct the nutrients essential for the development of the plant (STRADA, 2013).
However, alternatives to the agricultural production process adopted are necessary. It is necessary to use more sustainable models, such as the adoption of low-carbon agriculture; use of precision technologies; recovery of degraded pasture; implementation of the crop-livestock-forest integration system; biological nitrogen fixation; among others.
The structural deficit in the demand for macronutrients in the Brazilian market is due to the strength and competitiveness of agribusiness and the structural restrictions of the fertilizer production industry, since the country lacks inputs for this industry. However, the abundant production of waste by some sectors of agribusiness allows the nutrients present in this waste to be reused, thus reducing environmentally incorrect disposal and giving greater circular economy contours to Brazilian agribusiness (CRUZ, PEREIRA, FIGUEIREDO, 2017).
Mineral fertilization provides immediate crop productivity; however, successive fertilizer applications are necessary for management, due to the rapid depletion of nutrients available to plants. These fertilizers cause excessive costs, soil wear and tear, and limitations on crop production potential (RABELO, 2015). Furthermore, over time, depending on the dose applied, they can cause soil acidification, especially in the case of nitrogen (FRANCIOLI et al., 2016; REZENDE, 2022). In recent years, the use of fertilizers with slow or controlled release technology has increased significantly, such as organomineral and polymerized fertilizers, which are highly efficient compared to conventional fertilizers (SILVA, 2017).
For Cruz, Pereira, Figueiredo (2017), fertilizers are mineral or non-mineral substances, of natural or synthetic origin, that are capable of providing plants with one or more nutrients essential for their development. The non-mineral elements are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Among the minerals, the most important are divided into three groups according to the degree of importance and the quantity needed by the plants:
- primary macronutrients – so called because they are absorbed in large quantities by plants, such as: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), normally supplied to plants in the form of mixtures or formulations, belonging to the NPK group;
- secondary macronutrients – which are absorbed in smaller quantities by plants, such as: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and sulfur (S);
- micronutrients – so called because they are administered in smaller quantities than macronutrients, such as: boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) – if present in the soil in quantities exceeding the plants' demand, they can be toxic to plants.
Nitrogen is used by plants to metabolize proteins that are essential for plant growth and development. Phosphorus is used by plants to generate energy and is necessary for the process of photosynthesis and reproduction, as well as for the growth and maintenance of plants and animals (LOPES, 1998). Potassium is responsible for the resistance to diseases, handling and durability of plants. Sulfur, despite being a secondary macronutrient, is essential for the solubilization of phosphorus and, consequently, for its absorption by plants (LOBO, 2008).
One proposal to reduce the potential for loss and environmental impact is increased efficiency fertilizers, which release nutrients more slowly than common fertilizers, “delaying the solubilization of nutrients, compared to traditional sources”. These new inputs can increase the effectiveness of nutrient use, reducing losses through leaching (N and K), volatilization (N), denitrification (N) and fixation (P)”. This causes an increase in absorption by plants gradually and according to crop demand (EMBRAPA, 2022).
According to Brazilian legislation, organomineral fertilizers are products that combine a mineral component with an organic material component. To be classified as organomineral, these fertilizers must present minimum concentrations of nutrients (primary, secondary or micronutrients) and organic carbon (CRUZ, PEREIRA, FIGUEIREDO, 2017).
Until 2000, the main organic component used in the formulation of organic and organomineral fertilizers was peat, of sedimentary origin. New knowledge and technologies have been incorporating different sources of biomass, such as agro-industrial waste. This change has led to a trend of replacing non-renewable sources with renewable sources in the fertilizer sector, also complying with the National Solid Waste Policy, which determines the correct disposal and treatment of waste generated throughout the production chains (CRUZ, PEREIRA, FIGUEIREDO, 2017).
Cruz, Pereira, Figueiredo (2017) explain that the organic portion of these fertilizers brings advantages when applied to the soil, generating several benefits through the decomposition of organic waste, among which the following stand out:
- In soil fertility (chemical and physicochemical attributes of the soil):
– After decomposition and mineralization, organic matter becomes a source of macro and micronutrients for crops.
– Many nutrients present in the soil are in the form of cations. Organic matter increases the soil’s cation exchange capacity, i.e., it provides a greater capacity to adsorb (retain) the cations present in the soil, which are subsequently made available to plants.
– Increase in the specific surface area of the soil: the larger the specific surface area, the greater the nutrient retention capacity.
– Complexation of toxic substances: organic matter in advanced stages of decomposition has the ability to control the toxicity caused by certain elements present in the soil in levels above normal and, therefore, toxic.
- In soil physical conditioning:
– Improves soil structure: has the ability to aggregate soil particles, forming “lumps”. This aggregating effect triggers benefits in the other physical characteristics of the soil.
– Soil density: reduction of the apparent density of the soil, making it “lighter” and looser.
– Soil porosity: improving the circulation of air and water in the pores (empty spaces between particles) of the soil.
– Water retention and infiltration capacity: increased soil water storage capacity.
- Soil biota:
– It acts as a food source for decomposing microorganisms, which use it as a substrate and are responsible for the decomposition and mineralization of organic matter in the soil.
Organic matter, when present in the soil, helps maintain its physical structure, retain nutrients, and infiltrate and store water. Likewise, it is known that the presence of organic matter at adequate levels positively interferes with the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soils. Especially in tropical soils, the preservation of organic matter has a protective effect against the intensity of rain and wind. Furthermore, it has been observed that the presence of organic matter has consequences on the increase in biological activity and the energy flow of biotransformation of organic and mineral elements into nutrients available to plants (CRUZ, PEREIRA, FIGUEIREDO, 2017).
The absence of organic matter is associated with an increase in the loss of macronutrients present in the soil. The use of available nutrients (Table 1) is superior when using organomineral fertilizers when compared to conventional fertilizers.
Table 1- Shows the relationship between the use of NPK through the use of organomineral fertilizer compared to conventional fertilizer under loss conditions, that is, use of nutrients by type of fertilizer (%).
The organomineral fertilizer segment represents opportunities for innovation in the fertilizer sector. The origin of these fertilizers dates back to artisanal mixtures traditionally adopted in agricultural practices. They originate from the addition of organic waste to quantities of NPK. These mixtures were improved with the introduction of greater quantities of mineral nutrients, according to crop responses (CRUZ, PEREIRA, FIGUEIREDO, 2017).
According to Laforet (2013), there is a correlation between high productivity, due to intensive soil management, and losses of organic carbon and microbial biomass in the soil, which leads to a possible decrease in soil productivity. However, organic carbon levels can be restored by reintroducing organic matter and adopting conservation management techniques. Soil conditioners, biostimulants and a new generation of organic and organomineral fertilizers are examples of products that combine plant nutrition with the preservation of soil ecosystems. These products allow savings on chemical inputs and promote the reuse of byproducts from agroindustries and other sources of biomass.
In view of this, when working with agriculture we can move away from paradigms that see agriculture as an environmental villain and integrate this entire production chain, showing that man and the countryside are allies. Where man manages the soil in a way that maintains its physical, chemical and biological health, and thus, the environment returns to man long-lasting productivity, leading to food production for present and future generations. This means that sustainable agriculture is seen not as a way to slow down production, but rather as a way to improve the quality of the agricultural production system.
So, how can ILSA products contribute to sustainable agriculture?
Let's talk a little about our matrices:
First, we will talk about the AZOGEL matrix, which is obtained through an innovative and sustainable industrial process that does not include the addition of any type of chemical substance, called thermal hydrolysis. This process, known as Fully Controlled Hydrolysis (FCH), allows for the production of a unique and highly homogeneous product (without variations in the raw material and guarantees), with a high content of organic carbon and nitrogen, both highly available to microorganisms present in the soil and rhizosphere. AZOGEL presents a gradual release of nitrogen and allows for adequate nutrition throughout the production cycle of plants, avoiding losses due to volatilization and leaching generally present in other nitrogen fertilizers. In this way, it is possible to reduce the number of applications and increase agricultural productivity while respecting the environment. Therefore, AZOGEL guarantees balanced plant nutrition, according to the nutritional requirements of crops in their various phenological phases.
And now we will talk about the GELAMIN matrix. ILSA's liquid and water-soluble fertilizers for foliar application and/or fertigation are produced from the GELAMIN matrix. This matrix is obtained from the enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen, which is added to the reactors together with water vapor and selective enzymes that will cut the protein molecule into different fragments. This process allows for the production of a unique and highly homogeneous product, with a high content of proteins, nitrogen and organic carbon, all highly available to plants.
ILSA fertilizers are formulated from these two matrices, enriched with macro and micronutrients, providing plants with nutrients so that the roots and leaves can absorb them efficiently, stimulating their development. All ILSA fertilizers are obtained from combinations of our organic matrices with sources of nutrient minerals. The presence of the matrices allows nutrients to be supplied to the plants in a more gradual and efficient manner, which contributes to more assertive, sustainable agriculture and the application of smaller volumes of fertilizers.
Bibliographic references
CRUZ, André Camargo; PEREIRA, Felipe dos Santos; FIGUEIREDO, Vinicius Samu de. Organomineral fertilizers from agribusiness waste: assessment of the Brazilian economic potential. 2017.
EMBRAPA Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. New fertilizers and inputs. 2022. Available at https://www.embrapa.br/en/caravana-embrapa-fertbrasil.
FRANCIOLI, Davide et al. Mineral vs. organic amendments: microbial community structure, activity and abundance of agriculturally relevant microbes are driven by long-term fertilization strategies. Frontiers in microbiology, vol. 7, p. 1446, 2016.
KAMIYAMA, Araci. Secretariat of the Environment / Coordination of Biodiversity and Natural Resources. Sustainable agriculture São Paulo (State): SMA, 2011. (Environmental Education Notebooks, 13) Reprint, 2014.
LAFORET, MR Technology transfer of organomineral fertilizer production processes: action research on a public-private partnership. 2013. Doctoral Thesis. Dissertation (Professional Master's Degree in Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development) National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), Rio de Janeiro.
LOBO, V. The market and the challenge of the fertilizer industry in Brazil – Bunge Fertilizers. 2008.
LOPES, AS International manual of soil fertility. Translated and adapted by Alfredo Scheid Lopes. 2nd ed., rev. and ampl. Piracicaba: Potafos, 1998.
RABELO, KCC Organomineral and mineral fertilizers: phytotechnical aspects in industrial tomato cultivation. 2015. 70 p. Dissertation (Master's in Agronomy) - Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, 2015.
REZENDE, Camila Isabel Pereira. Multispectral images to discriminate fertilizer sources in coffee plants. 2022.
STRADA, Juliane. Fertilizers: Achilles heel in sustainability?. 2023.
SILVA, ECC Influence of organomineral and slow-release fertilizer sources on coffee quality. 2017. 25 p. TCC (Graduation) – Agronomy Course, Cerrado Patrocínio University Center, Patrocínio, 2017.
Authors
- Agr Eng. Dr. Angélica Schmitz Heinzen
- Agricultural Eng. Msc. Carolina Custodio Pinto
- Agricultural Eng. Msc. Thiago Stella de Freitas
