InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Fertilizer challenges in agriculture are not solely about nutrient shortages, but are closely linked to the health of soil biology.

Citing an article by Robert K. Herrington, Founder & CEO of SecondHand-Carbon, Friday (27/3/2026), many farmers are facing a situation where fertilizer use continues to increase, yet crop yields show little improvement.

According to Herrington, this is often misinterpreted as a need for more fertilizer, while the real issue lies in declining soil microbial activity.

“Soil microbes break down organic matter, release nitrogen, mobilize phosphorus, and regulate nutrient cycles around plant roots,” he explained.

Without active microbial processes, nutrients may still exist in the soil but are not readily available to plants.

Herrington noted that declining levels of labile carbon are a major factor behind weakened microbial performance. When this energy source diminishes, nutrient cycling slows down or even stops.

“This is why some soils no longer respond to fertilizers, even when applied correctly,” he added.

The situation has led to increasing dependence on external inputs such as chemical fertilizers. However, healthy soil requires not only nutrients but also an active biological system supported by sufficient carbon flow.

Reviving microbial life in the soil can improve fertilizer efficiency, reduce production costs, and restore land productivity naturally, highlighting the importance of biologically based agricultural practices. (T2)