Soils, Inputs & Water: AI-assisted international press reviewPress review

Brazilian Researchers Develop 'Smart' Nitrogen Fertilizer with Controlled Release Using Nanomaterials

Brazil: Biological Solutions Could Account for 50% of Brazilian Crop Protection Market by 2050

At BioSummit 2026, Wagner Bettiol from Embrapa announced that biological protection technologies could represent half of the Brazilian market by 2050. The rapid adoption of these solutions, driven by the growing demand for residue-free food and regulatory challenges, could transform the agricultural landscape. In 2025, the use of biological products increased by 12%, while the chemical pesticide market continues to grow slowly.

Corn: Nitrate Testing Becomes a Key Tool for Precision Nitrogen Management

Nitrogen management is essential for maximizing corn yields. Nitrate tests, both in the soil and in the stalks, provide accurate data on nitrogen availability, allowing for adjustments in fertilization practices.

BASF Strengthens Its Agricultural Biotech Platform with New Fermentation Plant

BASF Agricultural Solutions has recently launched its BioHub in Ludwigshafen, a fermentation site dedicated to the production of biological fungicides and insecticides. This multi-million euro investment aims to enhance its portfolio of biotechnology-based solutions while improving production flexibility and the resilience of supply chains.

Brazil: National Development Bank Accelerates Bio-input Deployment through Family Farming Financing Program

PepsiCo and Fertiberia Accelerate Low-Carbon Fertilizer Transition in Europe via Green Hydrogen

PepsiCo and Fertiberia announce a long-term collaboration to decarbonize potato and corn farming in Europe, utilizing green hydrogen-based fertilizers on 400,000 acres by 2030. The initiative aims for 50% low-carbon fertilizers in PepsiCo's European supply chain by 2030. Fertiberia will supply up to 150,000 tons of low-emission fertilizers, reducing emissions from potato and corn farming by up to 20%.

Brazil: Valorizing Pig Farming Waste Opens New Paths for Phosphate Fertilizer Autonomy

Researchers from Embrapa Agrobiology are exploring the use of struvite, a slow-release fertilizer derived from pig farming, as a solution to reduce Brazil's dependence on imported phosphate fertilizers. Preliminary results indicate that this fertilizer can meet 50% of the phosphorus needs for soybean crops while maintaining competitive yields and promoting a circular economy.

Biostimulants, Micronutrients, and Predictive Agriculture: ICL Develops a New Generation of Crop Nutrition Tools

At the NutriExperts 2026 conference, ICL showcased advanced nutrient management technologies to enhance the resilience of agricultural systems against climate challenges. New solutions like Axius Plant, which boosts plants' metabolic resilience and improves yields by over 15% across various crops, MIB Boro, addressing boron deficiencies in Brazilian soils, and Translok Air, designed for drone applications to enhance grain filling, aim to improve crop performance.

An American Startup Focuses on Decentralized Ammonia Production

Loop Chemicals, a startup from the Massachusetts Climatetech Studio, has licensed a chemical looping ammonia technology from Sandia National Laboratories. This innovation aims to decentralize ammonia production, essential for fertilizers, by bringing it closer to American farms to reduce vulnerabilities in the agricultural supply chain in the United States and lower transportation costs.

From Orange to Field: A Natural Adjuvant to Enhance Herbicide and Insecticide Efficacy

At Agrishow 2026, Sell Agro unveiled Citreum, an innovative biodegradable adjuvant made from orange terpenes, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of phytosanitary treatments while minimizing environmental impact. This product optimizes the distribution and penetration of droplets on leaf surfaces, increasing the bioavailability of active ingredients and reducing losses due to runoff.