New Imaging Techniques Explored to Assess Quality of Sustainable Fertilizers

Researchers from Cranfield University and partners from industry demonstrated the feasibility of using advanced, non-destructive imaging techniques to analyze and standardize organo-mineral fertilizers. Published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, the study explores using a combination of neutron computed tomography (NCT), X-ray computed tomography (XCT), and Raman spectroscopy to assess the quality and consistency of organo-mineral fertilizers (OMF) (1).

What are organo-mineral fertilizers (OMFs)?

OMFs are specialized types of fertilizers that are designed to improve soil health and build up a better environment to enhance plant growth (2). OMFs are formulated by combining organic amendments with mineral components (1). OMFs release nutrients slowly, which helps decrease leaching loss of nutrients and greenhouse gases emissions, so they are considered to be a more sustainable agricultural practice (2). Although they are generally considered an improvement over chemical fertilizers, the effectiveness of OMF depends on the soil types and crop types (2).

What are the current challenges the agriculture sector is facing?

The agriculture industry is receiving pressure to develop sustainable fertilizer alternatives, such as OMFs. Typically derived from anaerobic digestates, these hybrid fertilizers offer an opportunity to recycle organic waste while reducing dependence on synthetic products (1). However, their inconsistent composition has been a barrier to widespread use (1).

What did the study explore?

The researchers investigated whether non-destructive imaging tools can help control the variability found in OMFs. The team used NCT, XCT, and Raman spectroscopy in their study for this purpose. Using NCT and XCT, the team was able to generate high-resolution 3D images of OMF pellets (1). These scans were helpful in learning more about the internal structure of the pellets. Because porosity and packing density can influence how nutrients enter the soil, the scans gave the researchers insight into how likely each pellet will be in delivering a consistent nutrient supply to the soil (1).

The researchers also explored the use of Raman spectroscopy to analyze the chemical makeup of the OMFs. However, the team encountered challenges because of the high fluorescence background associated with the complex organic matrix of the fertilizers (1). Although Raman spectroscopy showed potential, the research team noted that further development is required to refine the technique (1).

What are the important takeaways of this study?

This study has important implications for the agriculture industry. In their study, the researchers demonstrated how artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into sustainable agricultural practices. By training AI models on image data from NCT and XCT, researchers could automatically assess physical characteristics across large batches of OMF pellets, such as identifying anomalies or quantifying porosity distribution (1). This automation could ultimately lead to a standardized production process, improving reliability for end users (1).

Reflecting on the future of the agriculture industry, the expectation is that more OMF products will be developed using organic feedstocks. These benchmarks could then serve as reference points for new formulations, ensuring consistency and traceability in production (1). This standardization would not only support sustainable agricultural practices but would also reassure farmers about the reliability and performance of these novel fertilizers (1).

This study also shows how new technologies are being used to maintain crop yields without negatively impacting the soil. This is a trend that will become more important as the push for sustainable agricultural practices continue (1). As the researchers demonstrated in the study, the integration of non-destructive imaging and AI in fertilizer manufacturing could potentially play a major role in this shift toward building sustainable food systems.

With further development and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the team’s approach could improve how we monitor, regulate, and trust sustainable fertilizers, which is important in advancing the agriculture industry (1).

References

1. Sakrabani, R.; Mosca, S.; Liptak, A.; Burca, G. Feasibility Study on Using Combined Tomography and Spectroscopy Techniques to Evaluate the Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Organo-mineral Fertilisers. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 2025, 9, DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1570461
2. Uddin, M. K.; Saha, B. K.; Wong, V. N. L.; Patti, A. F. Organo-mineral Fertilizer to Sustain Soil Health and Crop Yield for Reducing Environmental Impact: A Comprehensive Review. Eur. J. Agron. 2025, 162, 127433. DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2024.127433