Review Article
Nano Fertilizer in Modern Agriculture: A Sustainable Approach for Enhanced Crop Productivity and Soil Health in Ethiopia: Review
Tesfaye Ketema Defar*
,
Ketema Negesse Tola
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-5
Received:
30 December 2025
Accepted:
17 January 2026
Published:
6 February 2026
Abstract: Ethiopian agriculture is challenged by low soil fertility, erratic rainfall, and limited nutrient use efficiency of conventional fertilizers. A more innovative fertilization strategy is needed to enhance productivity while remaining environmentally sustainable. This article reviews recent advancements in nano fertilizers (NFs) and highlights their potential benefits for Ethiopian smallholder and commercial farming systems. Nano fertilizers can significantly contribute to sustainable farming in both field and greenhouse environments by improving nutrient use efficiency (NUE), particularly for staple crops like teff, maize, wheat, sorghum, and pulses. Unlike conventional synthetic fertilizers, which typically release nutrients rapidly within 4–10 days, NFs can provide a slow and steady nutrient supply over 40–50 days, either alone or in combination with organic amendments or inorganic inputs. In addition to enhancing nutrient availability, NFs strengthen crop tolerance to drought, heat, and soil stressors common across Ethiopian agro ecologies. Their precise nutrient delivery minimizes environmental losses, enhances crop growth, and reduces the ecological footprint of agricultural inputs. Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) present opportunities to replace or reduce conventional fertilizers and pesticides, thereby decreasing soil and water contamination. Controlled release or slow-release nano nitrogen fertilizers, in particular, have shown promising results in improving yields while reducing agro?environmental constraints in Ethiopian contexts. Nano fertilizers - whether applied to the soil or foliage - represent one of the most promising engineered materials for future Ethiopian agriculture. This article highlights the potential of nano-enabled fertilizers (n NFs) as an innovative approach to improving NUE and reducing nutrient losses, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural intensification. It examines synthesis, mode of action, and various types of nano fertilizers, including those formulated with nanoparticles of essential macro- and micronutrients (such as N, P, K, Fe, and Mn). In these formulations, nutrients are either individually bonded or combined with nano-dimensional carriers to ensure regulated and efficient delivery to the plant rhizosphere.
Abstract: Ethiopian agriculture is challenged by low soil fertility, erratic rainfall, and limited nutrient use efficiency of conventional fertilizers. A more innovative fertilization strategy is needed to enhance productivity while remaining environmentally sustainable. This article reviews recent advancements in nano fertilizers (NFs) and highlights their ...
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Research Article
Green Synthesis of CuO Nanoparticles Using Carissa edulis Stem Bark Extract, and the Antibacterial Evaluation
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
6-15
Received:
23 December 2025
Accepted:
13 January 2026
Published:
11 February 2026
Abstract: In this work, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were efficiently synthesized using an environmentally friendly and simple process by applying the aqueous stem bark extracts of Carissa edulis. During synthesis of CuO the following parameters were varied so as to achieve the optimum conditions. The first parameter to be varied was precursor (Cu(NO3)2.2H2O) concentration. Secondly, was the ratio of extract to precursor salt. Thirdly, the pH was investigated between 6 and 11. Lastly, effects of synthesis temperature was investigated from 25°C to 70°C. To characterize the synthesized CuO NPs, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectrophotometer, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were used. The average particle size was 20.84 ± 10.19 nm as determined using the XRD technique, which was mainly spherical in shape. The XRD also revealed a monoclinic crystal system of the synthesized CuO nanoparticles. Ultraviolet-Visible analysis showed characteristic peak at 630 nm indicating formation of the CuO NPs. The Tauc plot was used to calculate the optical band gap of CuO NPs from the absorption spectra, which was found to be approximately 2.7 eV. The FTIR peak at 420 cm−1 is associated with Cu-O-H stretching suggesting the formation of CuO NPs. Further, the CuO NPs antibacterial potentials were assessed using a standard disc diffusion method. Variety of microorganisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus were used to test the antibacterial activity of the synthesized CuO NPs. The synthesized CuO NPs demonstrated highest antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus compared to both positive control (Erythromycin) and carissa edulis extract. The findings suggest that the CuO NPs synthesized using Carissa Edulis may be used as an alternative medication to fight bacterial infections.
Abstract: In this work, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were efficiently synthesized using an environmentally friendly and simple process by applying the aqueous stem bark extracts of Carissa edulis. During synthesis of CuO the following parameters were varied so as to achieve the optimum conditions. The first parameter to be varied was precursor (Cu(NO...
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