In modern days, rapid urbanisation, climatic abnormalities, water scarcity and quality degradation vis-à-vis the increasing demand for food to feed the growing population necessitate a more efficient agriculture production system. In this context, farming with zeolites, hydrated naturally occurring aluminosilicates found in sedimentary rocks, which are ubiquitous and environment friendly, has attracted attention in the recent past owing to multidisciplinary benefits accrued from them in agricultural activities. The use of these minerals as soil ameliorants facilitates the improvement of soil’s physical and chemical properties as well as alleviates heavy metal toxicity. Additionally, natural and surface-modified zeolites have selectivity for major essential nutrients, including ammonium (NH₄⁺), phosphate (PO₄²⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), potassium (K⁺) and sulphate (SO₄²⁻), in their unique porous structure that reduces nutrient leaching. The slow-release nature of zeolites is also beneficial to avail nutrients optimally throughout crop growth. These unique characteristics of zeolites improve the fertilizer and water use efficiency and, subsequently, diminish environmental pollution by reducing nitrate leaching and the emissions of nitrous oxides and ammonia. The aforesaid characteristics significantly improve the growth, productivity and quality of versatile crops, along with maximising resource use efficiency. This literature review highlights the findings of previous studies as well as the prospects of zeolite application for achieving sustenance in agriculture without negotiating the output.

中文翻译：

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沸石增强土壤健康，作物生产力和环境安全

在当今时代，快速的城市化，气候异常，水资源匮乏和质量下降，与满足不断增长的人口需求的食品需求日益增长相比，必须有一个更有效的农业生产体系。在这种情况下，由于在农业活动中获得了多学科的益处，近年来，在沉积岩中发现的沸石，水合的天然存在的铝硅酸盐水合物无处不在且对环境无害，因此引起了人们的关注。这些矿物质作为土壤改良剂的使用有助于改善土壤的物理和化学性质，并减轻重金属的毒性。此外，天然和表面改性的沸石对包括铵盐（NH ₄ ⁺），磷酸盐（PO ₄ ^2- ），硝酸根（NO ₃ ^- ），钾（K ⁺）和硫酸盐（SO ₄ ^2-），因为它们独特的多孔结构减少了养分的淋失。沸石的缓释特性也有利于在整个作物生长过程中最佳地利用养分。沸石的这些独特特性提高了肥料和水的利用效率，随后通过减少硝酸盐的浸出以及一氧化二氮和氨的排放，减少了对环境的污染。上述特征显着改善了多功能作物的生长，生产力和质量，同时使资源利用效率最大化。这篇文献综述着重介绍了先前研究的结果，以及在不谈判产量的情况下实现农业维持生计的沸石应用前景。