Application of Zeolites in Agriculture and Other Potential Uses: A Review

Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer and inappropriate fertilization designs have negative results in agricultural ecosystems, such as considerable losses through dioxide (NO2) soil leaching ammonia NH3 volatilization. In addition, climate change, with rising summer temperatures reduced precipitation, leads to production declines water shortages the soil. This review aims highlight characteristics natural zeolite focus on their multiple uses agriculture. These minerals are tectosilicates showing an open three-dimensional structure involving cations required balance framework electrostatic charge aluminum silicon tetrahedral units. Different research groups reported more than fifty zeolites; chabazite, clinoptilolite, phillipsite, erionite, stilbite, heulandite, mordenite most well-known. Zeolites great tools help farmer agronomist cope several issues, or pollution, contamination by heavy metals, loss nutrients, water-use efficiency (WUE) drylands. crystalline aluminosilicates considered conditioners improve chemical physical properties, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), infiltration rate, cation exchange capacity (CEC), water-holding (WHC). Owing these materials able reduce nitrate also known for carrying slow-release macronutrients, micronutrients, fertilizers. However, potential areas is apparent, zeolites show promise contributing directly ecosystems a sustainable product.