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2026 Vol.59, Issue 3 Preview Page

Review

Integrated fertilization strategy for climate-smart soil management: A concise review for policy suggestion
Nuri Baek1†
,
Hyun-Jin Park2†
,
Seo-Woo Park1
,
Eun-Seo Shin3
,
Tae-Yeon Lee4
,
Jin-Hyeob Kwak5
,
Won-Pyo Park6
,
Seok-In Yun7*
,
Woo-Jung Choi8*
1Doctoral Student, Department of Rural & Bio-systems Engineering (Brain Korea 21), Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
2Assistant Professor, Department of Rural & Bio-systems Engineering (Brain Korea 21), Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
3Master Student, Department of Rural & Bio-systems Engineering (Brain Korea 21), Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
4Undergraduate Student, Department of Rural & Bio-systems Engineering (Brain Korea 21), Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
5Associate Professor, Department of Rural Construction Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
6Associate Professor, Plant Resources and Environment Major, College of Applied Life Science, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea
7Professor, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences and Institute of Life Science and Natural Resources, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Korea
8Professor, Department of Rural & Bio-systems Engineering (Brain Korea 21) & AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
*Corresponding Author
†These authors contributed equally to this work.
31 August 2026. pp. 351-361
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Abstract

Purpose: Climate change is accelerating the degradation of soil health, necessitating a shift toward climate-smart soil management that balances food production with greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation and carbon (C) sequestration. However, current fertilization policies in South Korea remain largely constrained by a nutrient-centric, binary paradigm—prioritizing crop yields through either mineral or organic fertilization—which often overlooks long-term soil health. In this review, we examine the limitations of existing fertilization policies and propose comprehensive strategies to enhance soil health in support of climate-smart agricultural goals.

Methods: To bridge the gap between crop-focused fertilization and sustainable soil health, we developed a multi-criteria assessment framework. This framework evaluates both soil health constraints and various fertilizers and amendments—including mineral and organic fertilizers, compost, and biochar—to optimize their use in addressing soil-specific limitations, based on their contributions to nutrient supply, soil property improvement, GHG mitigation, and C sequestration potential.

Results: We found that existing fertilization practices often lead to significant nutrient surpluses and the misuse of soil amendments, such as livestock manure compost and biochar. We argue that current strategies, which view these resources primarily as nutrient sources, fail to address the complex requirements of soil health. By synthesizing the distinct functionalities of mineral fertilizers (nutrient supply), organic fertilizers (microbial substrate supply), livestock manure compost (organic matter supply), and biochar (GHG mitigation and C sequestration), we propose a transition from a ‘nutrient-centric’ to a ‘function-centric’ fertilization strategy. This framework shifts the decision-making process from simple crop requirement matching to a site-specific, soil-tailored approach that accounts for inherent soil health constraints and land-use types.

Conclusions: This study provides a foundational basis for re-evaluating fertilization policies, advocating for a holistic approach that promotes sustainable soil functionality and aligns South Korean agricultural practices with global climate-smart goals.

Integrated soil-specific fertilization strategy for climate-smart soil health management.
Keywords
Biochar
Integrated nutrient management
Livestock manure compost
Mineral fertilizer
Organic fertilizer
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국토양비료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국토양비료학회 학회지
  • Volume : 59
  • No :3
  • Pages :351-361
  • Received Date : 2026-07-21
  • Revised Date : 2026-08-11
  • Accepted Date : 2026-08-13
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2026.59.3.351
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