Agricultural Biotechnology Applications of Metal Coordination Complex Inhibitors: Crop Enhancement and Soil
Main Article Content
Abstract
Metal coordination complex inhibitors represent a revolutionary approach in agricultural biotechnology, offering precise control over enzymatic processes crucial for crop enhancement and soil management. These sophisticated molecular systems leverage the coordination chemistry of transition metals to modulate key biochemical pathways, particularly targeting urease enzymes that regulate nitrogen cycling in agricultural ecosystems. The application of copper-based coordination polymers and other metallic complexes has demonstrated significant potential in stabilizing nitrogen availability, reducing nutrient losses, and enhancing crop productivity. Recent advances in the synthesis of two-dimensional coordination polymers with auxiliary ligands have shown remarkable efficiency in urease inhibition, leading to improved fertilizer utilization and reduced environmental impact. The integration of these inhibitors into sustainable agricultural practices addresses critical challenges including soil quality deterioration, nutrient management inefficiencies, and the need for environmentally responsible farming methods. This comprehensive review examines the mechanisms, applications, and future prospects of metal coordination complex inhibitors in modern agriculture, highlighting their role in promoting sustainable crop production systems. The findings suggest that these biotechnological innovations offer promising solutions for addressing global food security challenges while maintaining ecological balance and soil health integrity.
Article Details
Section
How to Cite
References
1. R. G. Burns, J. L. DeForest, J. Marxsen, R. L. Sinsabaugh, M. E. Stromberger, and M. D. Wallenstein et al., "Soil enzymes in a changing environment: Current knowledge and future directions," Soil Biol. Biochem., vol. 58, pp. 216–234, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.11.009.
2. G. Xie, et al., "Dual‐Metal Sites Drive Tandem Electrocatalytic CO2 to C2+ Products," Angew. Chem., vol. 136, no. 47, p. e202412568, 2024, doi: 10.1002/ange.202412568.
3. Y. Cui, D. Wang, C. Zhou, X. Zhang, H. Ben, and X. Yang, "Interfacially synergistic Pd-supported Al-SiO₂ catalysts for selective hydrogenolysis of cellulose to ethanol," Appl. Catal. B: Environ., vol. 381, Art. no. 125818, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125818.
4. M. Guo, K. Liu, K. Wang, J. Liu, P. Wang, F. Zhao, X. Zhang, and L. Zhang, "Sacrificial doping of interstitial lithium facilitated undoped amorphous/crystalline RuO₂ toward boosted acidic water oxidation," Adv. Energy Mater., Art. no. e03199, 2025, doi: 10.1002/aenm.202503199.
5. Y. Song, X. Zhang, Z. Xiao, Y. Wang, P. Yi, M. Huang, and L. Zhang, "Coupled amorphous NiFeP/cystalline Ni3S2 nanosheets enables accelerated reaction kinetics for high current density seawater electrolysis," Appl. Catal. B: Environ., vol. 352, p. 124028, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.124028.
6. C. Trasar-Cepeda, M. C. Leirós, and F. Gil-Sotres, "Hydrolytic enzyme activities in agricultural and forest soils. Some implications for their use as indicators of soil quality," Soil Biol. Biochem., vol. 40, no. 9, pp. 2146–2155, 2008, doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.03.015.
7. J. Trap and Éric Blanchart, "Intensifying the soil ecological functions for sustainable agriculture: Acting with stakeholders," Curr. Res. Environ. Sustain., vol. 5, pp. 100225–100225, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.crsust.2023.100225.
8. Xing Kai Chia, T. Hadibarata, Risky Ayu Kristanti, Muhammad, Inn Shi Tan, and H. Chee, "The function of microbial enzymes in breaking down soil contaminated with pesticides: a review," Bioprocess Biosyst. Eng., vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 597–620, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s00449-024-02978-6.
9. F. Ding, C. Hung, J. K. Whalen, L. Wang, Z. Wei, and L. Zhang et al., "Potential of chemical stabilizers to prolong urease inhibition in the soil–plant system#," J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci., vol. 185, no. 3, pp. 384–390, 2022, doi: 10.1002/jpln.202100314.
10. S. Yang, C. Tu, G. Liu, Y. Li, Y. Wang, and X. Zhu et al., "Synergistic enhancement of heavy metals removal and soil nutrients for agricultural soils using novel agro-waste biomass derived washing agents," Environ. Technol. Innov., vol. 39, p. 104336, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.eti.2025.104336.
11. M. L. Dotaniya, K. Aparna, C. K. Dotaniya, M. Singh, and K. L. Regar, "Role of Soil Enzymes in Sustainable Crop Production," Enzymes in Food Biotechnology, pp. 569–589, 2019, doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-813280-7.00033-5.
12. F. Ding, N. Su, C. Ma, B. Li, W.-L. Duan, and J. Luan, "Fabrication of two novel two-dimensional copper-based coordination polymers regulated by the 'V'-shaped second auxiliary ligands as high-efficiency urease inhibitors," Inorg. Chem. Commun., vol. 170, p. 113319, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.inoche.2024.113319.
13. M. G. Manzeke-Kangara, I. S. Ligowe, A. Tibu, T. N. Gondwe, Henry, and M. V. Galdos, "Soil organic carbon and related properties under conservation agriculture and contrasting conventional fields in Northern Malawi," Front. Soil Sci., vol. 4, 2025, doi: 10.3389/fsoil.2024.1481275.
14. M. Li, X. Han, and L.-J. Li, "Total Nitrogen Stock in Soil Profile Affected by Land Use and Soil Type in Three Counties of Mollisols," Front. Environ. Sci., vol. 10, 2022, doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.945305.
15. Andrea Maria Schroeck, V. Gaube, Claas Nendel, and Wilfried Winiwarter, "Estimating nitrogen flows of agricultural soils at a landscape level – A modelling study of the Upper Enns Valley, a long-term socio-ecological research region in Austria," Sci. Total Environ., vol. 665, pp. 275–289, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.071.
16. F. Ding, C. Ma, W.-L. Duan, and J. Luan, "Second auxiliary ligand induced two coppor-based coordination polymers and urease inhibition activity," J. Solid State Chem., vol. 331, pp. 124537–124537, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.jssc.2023.124537.
17. M. O'Callaghan, R. A. Ballard, and D. Wright, "Soil microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture: Limitations and opportunities," Soil Use Manage., vol. 38, no. 3, 2022, doi: 10.1111/sum.12811.
18. P. A. H. M. Bakker and R. L. Berendsen, "The soil‐borne ultimatum, microbial biotechnology and sustainable agriculture," Microb. Biotechnol., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 84–87, 2021, doi: 10.1111/1751-7915.13947.
19. E. Mekonnen, A. Kebede, A. Nigussie, G. Kebede, and M. Tafesse, "Isolation and Characterization of Urease-Producing Soil Bacteria," Int. J. Microbiol., vol. 2021, pp. 1–11, 2021, doi: 10.1155/2021/8888641.
20. V. Krishnan, Hamed Khodadadi Tirkolaei, and E. Kavazanjian, "An Improved Method for Determining Urease Activity from Electrical Conductivity Measurements," ACS Omega, vol. 8, no. 15, 2023, doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c08152.