Pedosphere (2): 430--441, 2026
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2026 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Performance and challenges of hydroxyapatite and its nanocomposite-based nanofertilizers: A review |
Hamid AIT SAID1 , Hassan NOUKRATI2, Houssameddine MANSOURI1,3, François PERREAULT4,5, Abdallah OUKARROUM1,3, Hicham BEN YOUCEF1 |
1 High Throughput Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory (HTMR), College of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (CCSE), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir 43150 (Morocco)
2 High Institute of Biological Sciences (ISSB), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir 43150 (Morocco)
3 AgroBioSciences Plant Stress Physiology Laboratory (AgBS), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir 43150 (Morocco)
4 School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ 85281 (USA)
5 Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal QC H3C 3P8 (Canada) |
| Corresponding Author:Hamid AIT SAID |
| ABSTRACT |
| The potential of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles as an alternative fertilizer has been extensively explored to mitigate the negative effects of conventional fertilizers on soil health. However, their low solubility in soil remains a significant challenge as this property reduces their efficiency for controlled nutrient delivery. To address this challenge, organic-inorganic nanocomposites, particularly HA-biopolymer-based nanofertilizers, have been proposed. These biocomposites combine the nutrient-rich feature of HA with the improved solubility and controlled-release ability provided by biopolymers, while also enhancing soil interaction to ensure more efficient and sustainable fertilization. The polymeric phase plays a key role in nutrient solubilization kinetics by facilitating microbial release, minimizing the need for frequent application, and reducing the toxicity to plants, which altogether reduces the overall environmental implications of fertilizer application. Despite recent advances, several key scientific gaps remain unaddressed, including the optimization of synthesis methods, the role of polymer composition in nutrient release kinetics, and the long-term effects of these nanofertilizers on soil health and plant productivity. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent progress and prospects for HA-based nanofertilizers, emphasizing synthesis techniques, structural properties, and performance in soil environments. Additionally, it highlights the need for tailored approaches to optimize nutrient release profiles, ensuring sustained nutrient availability, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced agricultural productivity. By identifying these knowledge gaps, this review aims to guide future research toward the design of next-generation HA-biopolymer nanocomposites with improved efficiency and sustainability compared to existing ones. |
| Key Words: biocomposite,biopolymer,CaP material,organic-inorganic nanocomposite,slow controlled-release fertilizer |
| Citation: Ait Said H, Noukrati H, Mansouri H, Perreault F, Oukarroum A, Ben Youcef H. 2026. Performance and challenges of hydroxyapatite and its nanocomposite-based nanofertilizers: A review. Pedosphere. 36(2): 430-441. |
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