Biofuel Research Journal

On the Cover

In the domain of sustainable agriculture, a groundbreaking study (DOI: 10.18331/BRJ2024.11.1.3) sheds light on enhanced micronutrient delivery and soil health. A team of German researchers has devised a novel method for producing manganese-enriched fertilizers, leveraging artificial humic substances (AHS). These synthetic materials, derived from biomass, replicate the beneficial attributes of natural humic substances. By integrating manganese directly into the AHS structure during its hydrothermal treatment, the researchers engineer amorphous, readily available fertilizer complexes that surpass conventional manganese salts. Moreover, alongside manganese, the utilization of AHS demonstrates an impressive capacity to augment iron transport, underscoring the broad potential of these materials for managing micronutrient transport. This innovation in fertilizer production resonates with the growing interest in AHS, recently acknowledged as a leading emerging technology by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). This pioneering approach envisions a future where the sustainable utilization of biomass via hydrothermal humification significantly enhances agricultural methodologies. Cover art by BiofuelResJ. ©2024.