Role of Zeolite Soil Amendments in Crop Production: Enhancing Soil Health and Food Security in a Changing Climate
摘要
This review chapter was compiled to synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding the use of zeolite soil amendments in crop production. The primary objective was to investigate the effects of zeolite on crop production, soil properties, and their role in contributing to climate-resilient agricultureClimate-resilient agriculture. The review was conducted by employing a search of academic databases to ensure a comprehensive and unbiased approach. This chapter explores the pivotal role of zeolite soil amendmentsZeolite soil amendments in addressing the intersecting challenges of climate change, declining soil fertilitySoil fertility, and global food insecurity. As conventional agricultural intensification continues to degrade soil quality through the excessive use of synthetic inputs, there is an urgent need for sustainable, climate-resilient land management strategies. Zeolite, a naturally occurring crystalline aluminosilicate, possesses remarkable properties, including high cation exchange capacityCation exchange capacity, water retention, and heavy metal immobilization, which make it an effective soil conditioner. Drawing on recent empirical studies, the chapter synthesizes the current knowledge on zeolites’ impact on crop physiological responses, nutrient availability, water use efficiency, and soil chemical dynamics. The chapter also highlights zeolite’s potential to regulate soil pH, enhance soil organic carbon (C), reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve nutrient retention, making it a promising tool for sustainable agricultureSustainable agriculture. Through an interdisciplinary lens, this chapter offers practical insights on integrating zeolite into broader land management systems to strengthen food security and agricultural resilience in the face of a changing climate.