Nature-Based Fertilizers for Sustainable Soil Fertility and Environmental Health.

The increasing pressures of population growth, resource depletion, and climate change highlight the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices. Soil fertility management plays a vital role in maintaining agricultural productivity and environmental health. However, excessive use of conventional fertilizers has led to soil degradation and contamination, making the need for sustainable solutions more pressing. Nature-based fertilizers offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditional chemical fertilizers. These nature-based solutions enhance soil structure, nutrient availability, and microbial activity by improving soil fertility, increasing crop yields, and reducing environmental impact. Biochar (BC), nanobiochar (NBC), and vermicompost (VC) are considered nature-based fertilizers because of their advantages to soil fertility and nutrient availability, thus environmental health. Biochar and nanobiochar contribute to carbon sequestration and soil health, while vermicompost accelerates organic matter decomposition and enriches soil biodiversity. Although the benefits and properties of nanofertilizers (NBFs) make them better than traditional chemical fertilizers, there are some challenges and drawbacks when used to improve soil fertility. To overcome these challenges, nanobiofertilizers are used increasingly. This review explores the benefits and challenges of incorporating nature-based fertilizers (such as biochar, nanobiochar, vermicompost, and nanofertilizers into agricultural practices. These innovative fertilizers offer potential solutions to pressing global issues such as food security, climate change resilience, and environmental sustainability.