Clay minerals and zeolites for environmentally sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Removal of contaminants in polluted soil has always shown challenges to the global community and it has become severe issue due to rapid industrialization and ever increasing population pressure and intensive agricultural activities in the 21st century. The use of clay minerals, their modified forms, clay polymer composites, and naturally occurring zeolites has received great global research attention recently due to their economic viability and ecological sustainability for maintenance of agricultural sustainability. Multiple uses of these modified/unmodified clays and the zeolites have made them unique all over the world. The present chapter has been focused on the application of these materials in soil to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, stabilize heavy metals, metalloids, pesticides, herbicides and metal uptake capacity of vegetable crops after their application. Moreover, slow release of fertilizers (macro and micronutrients), pesticides, and herbicides using the clay minerals and zeolites along with their multiple uses for carbon sequestration, compost preparation, soil conditioner, amendments, etc. has been discussed elaborately in light of agricultural sustainability.