Carbon dot-based smart soil enhances crop growth by adjusting porosity and structure

The world’s agricultural systems are under growing pressure to meet the demands of an expanding global population. To address this, farmers have relied heavily on chemical fertilizers to boost crop yields. While effective in the short term, this approach has caused significant environmental damage. One major issue is soil compaction, which reduces the soil’s ability to support healthy root growth. Additionally, the loss of key soil organisms like earthworms, which help naturally aerate the soil, further degrades soil structure and fertility. This problem is particularly critical in intensive farming regions, where soil health continues to decline despite increased fertilizer use.