Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food

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From clay to crops: improving water productivity in rosemary and lavender under sandy soil conditions in South Africa
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026-07-29)
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Stander, Hendrik Barend
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Wolfaardt, Gideon M.
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Goli, Imaneh
Background Increasing irrigation water productivity is a key strategy for achieving sustainable agricultural production. This study evaluated the performance of self-regulating low-energy clay-based irrigation (SLECI) as a sustainable alternative to surface and subsurface drip irrigation under water-scarce sandy field conditions, with a particular focus on quantifying the trade-off between irrigation water productivity and fresh biomass yield. SLECI system is a subsurface irrigation technology that uses microporous clay emitters buried within the crop root zone. Water is released passively in response to soil moisture deficits, as water flows through the clay pores only when soil suction exceeds the retention force of the emitter. This self-regulating mechanism delivers water directly to plant roots without the need for pumps, sensors, or external control systems. Methods The experiment was conducted on newly established, 1-year plantings of rosemary ( Salvia rosmarinus , Tuscan Blue variety) and lavender ( Lavandula stoechas , Hollandia variety) grown under open-field conditions at the Welgevallen Experimental Farm, Stellenbosch, South Africa (33°56′33″ S, 18°51′52″ E), from November 2023 to February 2024, during the hot-dry summer season. Results The highest fresh marketable yield of rosemary was obtained under subsurface drip irrigation (906 kg/ha), while lavender achieved its highest yield under conventional surface drip irrigation (3,625 kg/ha). Although yields under SLECI were lower, this system used substantially less irrigation water (533.2 m 3 /ha) over the 3-month period, compared with surface drip (6,800 m 3 /ha) and subsurface drip irrigation (3,060 m 3 /ha). Irrigation water productivity (IWP) demonstrated the water-saving efficiency of SLECI, producing 0.529 kg of fresh marketable rosemary per m 3 of applied water, nearly 4.5 times higher than surface drip irrigation. Similarly, SLECI achieved an IWP of 1.467 kg/m 3 for lavender, representing a more than 2.7-fold increase compared to surface drip irrigation (0.115 kg/m 3 ). Irrigation technique significantly affected fresh marketable yield. Subsurface drip irrigation and SLECI increased rosemary plant diameter relative to surface drip, whereas subsurface and surface drip irrigation promoted larger lavender plant diameters. Conclusion This study contributes to understanding how clay-based irrigation systems perform under severe sandy soil conditions and provides practical insights into the trade-off between water saving and crop productivity in semi-arid environments.
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ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as a rapid complementary tool for qualitative assessment of mineral fertilizers
(2026-09-15)
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Mitkova, Tatjana
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Lončarić, Zdenko
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Petek, Marko
Complementary analytical methods are crucial for the qualitative assessment of mineral fertilizers commonly applied in agriculture. In this study, both reference substances and fertilizer samples were analyzed using the ATR-FTIR technique. Pure compounds such as ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and calcium sulfate heptahydrate were first recorded as standards to establish a reference spectral library. Fertilizer samples were ground to a fine powder (<1 mm) and placed on the diamond crystal surface for spectral measurement. The obtained absorption spectra enabled identification of the main components present in the fertilizers and provided a clear comparison with the standard spectra. Although the method allows only qualitative determination of compounds, comparison with the recorded standards provides valuable insights into the composition of the investigated samples. This approach is particularly useful when rapid screening of fertilizers is required without the need for time-consuming wet chemistry analyses. The results demonstrate that ATR-FTIR spectroscopy can serve as a reliable complementary method for routine fertilizer testing, ensuring both quality control and detection of possible adulteration or impurities. Furthermore, when combined with conventional laboratory techniques such as titrimetry, AAS, or ICP-OES, the method contributes to a more comprehensive and accurate characterization of fertilizer composition, ultimately supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
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Dose-Dependent Effects of Foliar Nano NPK and Zinc on Yield, Antioxidant Capacity, and Metabolic Profile of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
(MDPI AG, 2026-04-03)
S. T. Stojanova, Marina
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Stojanova, Monika
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Demiri, Sani
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A. Djukic, Dragutin
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Kaya, Yalcin
Foliar nanofertilization is increasingly being explored as a strategy to enhance crop nutritional quality; however, dose-dependent physiological and metabolic responses remain insufficiently defined. This study evaluated the effects of conventional NPK (20:20:20) and nano-formulated NPK combined with zinc (3 and 5 g/L) on the mineral composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic profile of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L., cv. ‘Dora’) grown under controlled conditions. Physicochemical characterization of the nanofertilizer by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy confirmed nanoscale primary particle size and revealed concentration-dependent aggregation behavior at higher Zn levels. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among treatments in macro- and microelement content, total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity. The application of nano NPK combined with 3 g/L Zn resulted in the highest accumulation of total phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, accompanied by enhanced antioxidant capacity, suggesting stimulation of secondary metabolism. In contrast, the higher Zn concentration (5 g/L) further increased carotenoid content but was associated with elevated proline levels, indicating the onset of physiological stress. Multivariate analyses (PCA and ROC) supported dose-dependent metabolic modulation and confirmed that combinations of selected metabolites contributed to clearer differentiation between fertilization regimes. Overall, the results highlight the existence of an optimal nano-zinc application range that enhances fruit functional quality while avoiding stress-related metabolic imbalance, emphasizing the importance of physicochemical stability in nano-enabled fertilization strategies. While this study focused on a single sweet pepper cultivar, future research should explore other pepper species to evaluate whether similar dose-dependent nano Zn effects are observed.
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Nanofertilizers: A New Approach to Horticultural Nutrition
(International Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2025)
Marina T. Stojanova
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Dragutin A. Djukic
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Monika Stojanova
Nanotechnology offers transformative potential in agriculture and horticulture, revolutionizing crop production, plant health, and resource management. Its dynamic influence is particularly evident in enhancing vegetable yields through targeted nutrient delivery. Nanofertilizers, which utilize nanoparticles with higher surface tension than conventional fertilizers, provide plants with slow-release, efficient nutrient availability. This improves nutrient uptake, reduces waste, and promotes more sustainable farming practices. Nanofertilizers are specifically designed to optimize plant growth, fertility, and pollination in flowers, resulting in higher yields and improved quality in horticultural crops. By enhancing the availability and use efficiency of nutrients, nano fertilizers reduce nutrient fixation and enhance overall productivity. This review focuses on the significance of nanotechnology development, nanomaterials, and nano fertilizers, highlighting their potential to improve productivity and quality in horticultural crops. It also explores how nanoparticles can enhance plant resilience, particularly in response to environmental changes, supporting food security for the growing global population. By providing targeted, efficient solutions, nanotechnology offers promising strategies for ensuring the long-term sustainability and health of horticultural production systems. The application of nanofertilizers in enhancing both crop quality and environmental sustainability positions nanotechnology as a key innovation for the future of agriculture.

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