The multidisciplinary Hub for Smart Fertilizers has been launched at the University of Melbourne. The goal is to develop new biochemical inhibitors and “smart fertilizers” to increase the efficiency of nitrogen use by up to 20%, meaning farmers can use less fertilizer.
The Hub is a partnership between the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, and Elders Rural Services Australia, and involves representatives from key agricultural businesses and development corporations, including Ausveg, Bonaccord Ingram, Food and Fibre Gippsland, Grains Research and Development Corp., and Sensand.
Hub Director and leader of the Soils and the Environment Research Group at the University of Melbourne Professor Deli Chen said the Hub has already made significant progress toward its goals of both individual farm profitability and environmental sustainability. “We have already had a new nitrification inhibitor patent approved, [and] developed the framework of a smart engineering coating and eco-friendly metal-phenolic networks (MPNs),” said Professor Chen. “We have established a new bio-fertilizer research theme and industry placement programs.
“We are also developing evidence-based estimates of environmental and health costs of nitrogen losses and the social benefits of new fertilizers, which will be an important source to inform government policy, industry, and the community,” he added.
“The Hub aims to drive significant yield increases per unit of nitrogen used by Australian farmers by addressing key loss mechanisms,” said IPF Vice President of Agronomy and Innovation Charlie Walker, who added that the Hub was central to the company’s soil health strategy.
The Hub’s A$11.35 million funding includes an investment of $4.95 million from the Australian Research Council, $3.8 million from IPF, $2 million from the University of Melbourne, $100,000 from La Trobe University, and $500,000 from Elders Rural Services Australia.