
fertilizers
Asian Scientist Magazine’s January 2021 Roundup
Starting the year with surprising uses for human waste in space and ancient worm fossils, here are five of Asian Scientist Magazine’s top pieces from January 2021.

Transforming Earth’s Trash Into Space’s Treasure
Converting human waste into liquid fertilizer may be the key to growing food in space, find researchers from Japan.
SWAP Process Makes Cheaper, Cleaner Ammonia
Using a molybdenum-based catalyst with samarium as an electron source, researchers in Japan have created a process that produces ammonia more efficiently than the conventional Haber-Bosch process.
Carbon Dots Make Good Fertilizers
Scientists in China have created nanoparticles from rapeseed pollen that increase the yield of lettuce by almost 50 percent.
Nanoparticles That Help Crops Absorb Fertilizers
A nanoparticle-based fertilizer could help feed the world's growing population by halving the amount of fertilizer required.
Too Much Fertilizer Could Encourage The Growth Of Harmful Fungi
A study of the rhizophere of sugarcane has shown that high doses of nitrogen fertilizer could upset the balance between harmful and helpful fungi in the soil.
Thinking Beyond Organics For Safe Food And Water In South Asia
Broader alliances nudging markets towards public interest can save the organic movement, writes Nalaka Gunawardene.
Exploit Urinals For Cheap Fertilizer, Says Indian Inventor
Recovering nutrients from urine before it is mixed into wastewater could be a cheap and effective way to produce fertilizer.
Agrochemicals Linked To Chronic Kidney Disease In Sri Lanka
Researchers have linked the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka to indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Urine Mixed With Compost Makes A Superior Fertilizer, Study Says
Urine mixed with compost makes a superior fertilizer, according to the results of a study carried out in a farmer’s field outside Nepal's capital city.