VFRC Increases Research in 2014
The Virtual Fertilizer Research Center (VFRC) acts as a semi-autonomous research unit of IFDC. The
VFRC is partnering with a global network of scientists, research institutions, private enterprises and
entrepreneurs to conduct coordinated research under a unified technology agenda.
In 2014, the VFRC published five reports that explored options for increasing fertilizer nutrient use
efficiency, micronutrient options for plant and human health and several other topics. “This year has
been a great success in regard to publishing reports,” says Prem Bindraban, executive director of
the VFRC. “We are proud of the work done by our network of researchers. It is helping pave the way
for the future of fertilizers.”
Brief summaries of the VFRC’s 2014 reports can be found below. The reports are accessible online at
www.vfrc.org/VFRC_Reports/2014.
VFRC Report 2014/1: Beneficial Organisms for Nutrient Uptake
Koele, N., T.W. Kuyper and P.S. Bindraban, 2014. Beneficial Organisms for Nutrient Uptake. VFRC
Report 2014/1, Virtual Fertilizer Research Center, Washington, D.C. 63 pp.; 4 figs.; 330 ref.
Micro-organisms may help plants to better scavenge nutrients from the soil and reduce hazards
such as drought or toxicity against heavy metals. Some micro-organisms can keep away harmful
organisms, improving plant fitness, and some are considered biofertilizers. Therefore, maintaining a
diverse population of micro-organisms by adequate management may be beneficial in the long term.
VFRC Report 2014/2: Eliminating Zinc Deficiency in Rice-Based Systems
Duffner, A., E. Hoffland, T.J. Stomph, A. Melse-Boonstra and P.S. Bindraban, 2014. Eliminating
Zinc Deficiency in Rice-Based Systems. VFRC Report 2014/2. Virtual Fertilizer Research Center,
Washington, D.C. 35 pp.; 1 table; 5 figs.; 1 text box; 200 ref.
This report presents an overview of the soil factors controlling plant-available Zn, explains the
synergistic or antagonistic behavior among nutrients on their uptake by plants and discusses the
mobility of Zn within a plant. This provides leads as to how Zn nutrients could be best supplied
to rice plants. The report also evaluates biofortification of rice against other nutrient-increasing
strategies.
VFRC Report 2014/3: Se Fertilization: An Agro-Ecosystem Approach
Ros, G.H., A.M.D. van Rotterdam, G.D. Doppenberg, D.W. Bussink and P.S. Bindraban, 2014. Se
Fertilization: An Agro-Ecosystem Approach. VFRC Report 2014/3. Virtual Fertilizer Research Center,
Washington, D.C. 62 pp.; 1 table; 21 figs.; 282 ref.
This research identifies factors for developing a decision support tool for determining when application
of Se fertilizer would be effective. Adapting fertilizer strategies to site-specific agro-ecosystem
properties might increase the uptake efficiency from 10 percent up to 50 percent. Biofortifying food
items in itself is also an effective avenue for human health improvement but may not reach the neediest.
VFRC Report 2014/4: Establishing a Viable Fertilizer Quality
Detection System
Perumal, K., S. Ananthi, J. Arunkumar, T.A. Sambanda Moorthy, B. Karthik, U. Singh and P.S.
Bindraban, 2013. Establishing a Viable Fertilizer Quality Detection System, VFRC Report 2014/4.
Virtual Fertilizer Research Center, Washington, D.C. 23 pp.; 9 tables; 3 figs.; 8 ref.
This research has aimed to develop a quick and cheap method to determine fertilizer nutrient
content and trace contamination. Promising results were found with chromatogram imaging, but the
method needs further development to be sufficiently accurate, speedy and affordable, revealing the
formidable challenge of developing quick and robust methods.
VFRC Report 2014/5: Environmentally Friendly Phosphate Fertilizers
Goldstein, A., 2014. Strategies for the Development of Environmentally Friendly Phosphate Fertilizers
Based on Gram-Negative Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria. VFRC Report 2014/5. Virtual Fertilizer
Research Center, Washington, D.C. 51 pp.; 5 tables; 27 figs.; 45 refs.
This report provides a way forward for the development of phosphate fertilizers leveraging the
abilities of phosphate soluble (PS) bacteria. The report calls for an industrial-scale biotechnological
intervention to process rock phosphate ores into soluble P fertilizer products, with concrete research
and development (R&D) activities and timelines to arrive at a PS bacteria-enabled crop nutrition
product.
14 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT