The Importance of Mineral Elements for Sustainable Crop Production

1. Introduction

By 2050, the global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion people, necessitating a substantial increase in food production [1]. Mineral elements, including macro- and micro-nutrients, are essential for crops to complete their growth cycles and produce the yields necessary to meet demand. Deficiencies in minerals such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) severely constrain plant growth and limit agricultural productivity worldwide [2]. While mineral fertilizers supported Green Revolution yield improvements, their excessive use degrades soil and water quality [3]. Sustainably meeting future nutritional needs requires optimizing plant mineral nutrition to improve productivity, nutrient use efficiency, and stress resilience, while stabilizing soil resources.

This editorial synthesizes insights from a recent special issue of Agronomy themed by the role of mineral elements in crop growth and production. The collection highlights emerging strategies for tailoring mineral element applications, enhancing acquisition, and integrating plant-soil dynamics. Balancing these perspectives is key to leveraging plant nutrition for the sustainable intensification of agriculture.

2. Optimizing the Application of Essential Macro- and Micro-Nutrients

The balanced application of essential macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients is crucial for crops to fully express their genetic potential and achieve optimal growth and yield. Research has shown that the synergistic effects of micro-nutrients can significantly enhance crop performance. For instance, Safdar et al. [4] presented a two-year field study examining the effects of sole and combined soil application of boron (B) and zinc (Zn) on oilseed rape under semiarid conditions. They demonstrated that the combined application of B and Zn in oilseed rape led to marked improvements in the yield, oil content, and quality parameters. This synergy likely stems from the complementary roles that these nutrients play during critical reproductive and developmental phases, such as pollen viability and seed formation. As the study’s geographical and temporal scope was limited to a semi-arid climate over two growing seasons, it is crucial to extend this research across diverse environments and crop genotypes. This would help to develop more comprehensive and universally applicable guidelines for optimal B and Zn application rates and ratios.

Głowacka et al. [5] explored the interactive effects of N and sulfur (S) fertilization in soybean production. They found that a balanced application of these nutrients significantly increased productivity, seed protein content, and S-containing amino acids compared with N application alone. This research suggests that S plays a critical role in influencing N utilization efficiency. The optimal N:S ratio appeared to differ across the different soybean growth stages, indicating a need for more nuanced application strategies. Further research is necessary to understand the interactive effects of N and S across a broader spectrum of fertilizer application rates, timings, and environmental conditions.

3. Enhancing Nutrient Acquisition and Utilization Efficiency

Efficient acquisition and utilization of nutrients are paramount for reducing reliance on external inputs and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Innovative genetic and microbial approaches have shown promise for enhancing crop nutrient capture and use efficiency. Hu et al. [6] investigated the overexpression of a phosphate transporter gene, OsPHT1;4, in rice. They found that this genetic modification significantly boosted P uptake, utilization efficiency, grain yields, and overall biomass under conditions where P was deficient. This finding suggests that the targeted manipulation of nutrient transporters provides a promising route to enhance crop P efficiency.

Lin et al. [7] demonstrated the potential of microbiome engineering by showing that inoculating rice with a selenium (Se)-tolerant bacterial strain increased plant Se accumulation. This finding opens exciting possibilities for enhancing the nutritional value of crops through the manipulation of the soil microbiome. Translating this increase in Se content into improved human nutrition requires further research and careful dietary integration.

Li et al. [8] conducted a detailed investigation into the effects of varying P supply on soybeans using a split-root system. In a related study, Li et al. [9] further researched the optimal P levels necessary for effective nodulation, N fixation activity, and plant N accumulation in soybeans. Both studies highlighted the complex interplay between P supply and soybean growth. They underscored the necessity of a more sophisticated approach to nutrient management, one that considers the temporal variations in crop needs and the intricate mechanisms by which plants acquire and utilize nutrients. These findings represent a significant step forward, and further research is needed to understand how these insights might translate across different legume species under various environmental conditions.

4. Matching Nutrition to Plant-Soil Environments

Understanding and matching nutrition to specific plant-soil environments is essential for optimizing crop health and yields while maintaining environmental sustainability. Kumar et al. [10] investigated the effects of tillage-based crop establishment methods and irrigation approaches on wheat production. Their research revealed that these management practices significantly influence soil biological properties, including the microbial community structure and the abundance of fungi and bacteria. These biological shifts, in turn, affect soil fertility, moisture availability, and ultimately, crop yields. This study underscores the importance of taking a broader agro-ecological perspective that integrates soil, water, and crop management factors. Such an approach is vital for balancing productivity gains with soil and environmental health. Further studies are required to identify combinations of practices that maximize synergies across diverse wheat cropping contexts.

Brodowska et al. [11] examined how K fertilization, applied in combination with N, affects the levels of trace elements in maize-cultivated soils, a crucial aspect of plant nutrition often overlooked. Their study sheds light on the complex interactions between different nutrients and their collective effects on crop health and productivity. These interactions underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to nutrient management that considers the myriad ways in which different elements interact within the plant-soil system.

Ibrahim et al. [12] provided a comprehensive review of P mobilization strategies in plant-soil environments, offering insights into various biotechnological, chemical, and agronomic options. This review discusses plant root adaptations, ligand synthesis, enzyme applications, and rhizosphere modification, among others. These strategies have the potential to enhance crop P acquisition, while reducing reliance on inorganic P inputs and improving soil health. Moving these strategies from conceptual feasibility to cost-effective field application will require continued research and innovation.

Zhao et al. [13] introduced a novel in situ probe designed to analyze the availability of multiple elements such as S, P, and arsenic at the soil/sediment-water interface and in the rice rhizosphere. Based on the diffusive gradients in thin-films technique, this tool represents a significant advance in soil science, offering the potential to dramatically improve our understanding of nutrient dynamics, guide more precise fertilizer application, and ensure environmental safety [14]. The development and application of such high-resolution measurement technologies are crucial for advancing precision agriculture and sustainable nutrient management practices [12,15].

5. Balancing Mineral Nutrition Status for Sustainable Production

The collective research presented in this special issue underscores that while mineral nutrients are indispensable for crop productivity, their management must be strategically balanced to yield gains with environmental sustainability. Continually integrating perspectives across plant nutrition, genetics, soil science, agronomy, and ecology will be essential going forward. Key priorities include: leveraging synergies between mineral elements while avoiding excesses or imbalances; building adaptive, site-specific application guidelines tailored to crop needs over growth cycles; enhancing mineral uptake efficiency via crop breeding and microbiome manipulation; fostering integrated soil fertility and health through diversified practices; and developing tools to monitor plant status and predict soil fertility responses. A systems-level approach balancing productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship will be critical to sustainably meeting future food demands. The research compiled in this special issue provides key insights to guide mineral nutrition management in this direction.

6. Conclusions

In conclusion, this special issue highlights the essential roles mineral elements play in crop growth cycles and the need to continually refine nutrition management. Optimizing application, enhancing efficiency, and integrating plant-soil dynamics will be crucial for leveraging mineral nutrition for sustainable intensification. Continued systems-level research to balance productivity gains with environmental protection is the cornerstone for addressing future nutritional demands. As the world moves towards sustainable agricultural practices, the insights and strategies discussed in this special issue will provide a valuable foundation for guiding mineral nutrition management in the right direction.