Enhancing crop safety and nutritional quality through precision fertilization: Mitigating anti-nutrients and toxic metal uptake in food crops; a systematic review analysis

Abstract

Precision fertilization constitutes an innovative paradigm in crop nutrient management, emphasizing site-specific and plant-specific optimization of nutrient inputs. Despite its growing application, a comprehensive understanding of its potential to mitigate anti-nutritional factors and toxic metal uptake remains underexplored. This review addresses this gap by evaluating the impact of precision fertilization on reducing these harmful substances, with a focus on food safety and sustainable agriculture. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, analyzing peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2024. Anti-nutrients and toxic metals are prevalent contaminants that adversely affect human health and nutritional quality. Conventional fertilization practices and the impurity profiles of fertilizers often exacerbate these issues through imbalanced nutrient supply and environmental interactions. In contrast, precision fertilization aims to enhance nutrient use efficiency by tailoring nutrient applications based on real-time assessments of soil and crop conditions, thereby reducing the uptake of undesirable substances. Recent advancements in precision agriculture technologies-comprising soil nutrient sensors, variable rate application machinery and advanced data analytics facilitate the implementation of these targeted nutrient management strategies. Integration of soil health diagnostics with crop monitoring enables precise modulation of fertilization practices according to geospatial and temporal variability within fields. Empirical evidence from case studies demonstrates that precision fertilization can reduce the accumulation of harmful compounds in edible plant tissues by improving nutrient uptake efficiency. This not only enhances crop yield and quality but also contributes to lowering the concentration of undesirable substances. Additionally, precision fertilization supports sustainable agriculture by minimizing nutrient runoffs, reducing environmental pollution and preserving soil health. The review highlights the need for further interdisciplinary research to optimize precision fertilization protocols across diverse agro-ecosystems and promote safer, more sustainable food systems.