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Fertilization for Sustainable Agriculture 4.0

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 1187

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Technical Service and Engineering Management, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Heroiv Oborony str., 15, 03041 Kyiv, Ukraine
Interests: sustainable agriculture; precision agriculture; biofuel production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The optimization of fertilization practices is essential for achieving sustainable agriculture, balancing the need for increased food production with environmental protection. Excessive fertilizer use can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, making it imperative to develop and implement efficient fertilization strategies. This Special Issue, titled "Fertilization for Sustainable Agriculture 4.0", aims to explore innovative practices and technologies that enhance nutrient management while minimizing environmental impacts.

The goal of this Special Issue is to gather original research articles and reviews that examine the latest advancements in fertilization techniques, soil health, and sustainable agricultural practices. This focus aligns with the journal’s commitment to promoting research that supports sustainable food systems and environmental stewardship.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:  

  1. Precision agriculture and nutrient management
  2. Organic and synthetic fertilizer optimization
  3. Integrated nutrient management systems
  4. Policy implications for sustainable fertilization practices 

Prof. Dr. Ivan Rogovskyi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable agriculture
  • nutrient management
  • precision agriculture
  • soil health
  • organic fertilizers
  • crop yield
  • climate resilience
  • environmental impact
  • agricultural practices

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

30 pages, 1176 KB  
Review
Valorization of Seafood Processing Byproducts for Sustainable Fertilization: Opportunities and Food Safety Considerations in Agriculture 4.0
by Gulsun Akdemir Evrendilek
Sustainability 2026, 18(4), 2064; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18042064 - 18 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 677
Abstract
The transition toward sustainable and circular bioeconomies in Agriculture 4.0 demands fertilization strategies that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining agronomic productivity. This article presents a structured narrative review of peer-reviewed literature integrating evidence across waste management, soil science, food safety, and regulatory frameworks [...] Read more.
The transition toward sustainable and circular bioeconomies in Agriculture 4.0 demands fertilization strategies that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining agronomic productivity. This article presents a structured narrative review of peer-reviewed literature integrating evidence across waste management, soil science, food safety, and regulatory frameworks to evaluate the potential of seafood processing byproducts including fish offal, shellfish residues, and aquaculture effluents as nutrient-rich fertilizers. These materials provide nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and essential micronutrients and may contribute to nutrient recycling within precision and resource-efficient agricultural systems. Evidence from diverse cropping contexts indicates that seafood waste-derived fertilizers can improve crop yield, nutrient use efficiency, and soil biological activity under site-specific conditions. Biological processing methods, including composting, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation, are examined for their roles in enhancing nutrient bioavailability and reducing undesirable constituents. Particular emphasis is placed on food safety considerations, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, antimicrobial resistance, pathogens, and microplastics, with discussion of speciation-based risk assessment and mitigation strategies such as thermal treatment, microbial screening, and compliance with international standards. Regulatory fragmentation, economic feasibility, and lifecycle environmental implications are also critically assessed. Emerging digital tools, including Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled nutrient monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted compost optimization, are discussed as enabling technologies for integrating seafood-derived biofertilizers into smart farming systems. Overall, this interdisciplinary synthesis highlights the potential contribution of seafood waste valorization to circular nutrient management, environmental stewardship, and sustainable food production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fertilization for Sustainable Agriculture 4.0)
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