Smart inputs for stressed soils: assessment of biofertilizers, nanomaterials, biochar, and biostimulants for sustainable crop productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa
Meta-analysis reveals enhanced crop yield and stress tolerance from smart soil inputs in Sub-Saharan Africa, suggesting scalable pathways to resolve food security crises.
Key Points
To synthesize evidence on how bio-inputs and advanced materials impact crop yield, nutrient use efficiency, and abiotic stress tolerance across Sub-Saharan African agroecosystems.
Conducted a meta-analysis of 317 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025 across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Assessed interventions including biofertilizers, PGPR, AMF, biostimulants, nanofertilizers (ZnO, SiO₂, Fe₂O₃), and biochar using a random-effects model and Hedges’ g.
Performed subgroup analyses across rainfall regimes, soil types, crop species, and application methods.
Smart inputs significantly enhanced overall crop performance compared with unamended controls (Hedges’ g = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.83–0.99; P < 0.001).
Integrated systems combining bio-inputs with advanced materials achieved the greatest yield benefit (Hedges’ g = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.18–1.76).
Nanofertilizers exhibited the strongest individual effects under drought and salinity, while PGPR consortia displayed the broadest geographic applicability.