Use of nanofertilizer in agriculture

1. TOPIC : USE OF NANOFERTILIZERS IN AGRICULTURE

2. CONTENTS
 1. INTRODUCTION TO NANOFERTILIZERS
 2. USES AND APPLICATIONS OF NANOFERTILIZER IN AGRICULTURE
 3. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
 4.CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

3. INTRODUCTION
The word nano comes from Greek and means dwarf.
Nanofertilizers are nutrient carriers of nano dimension ranging from 30 to
40nm capable of holding bountiful nutrient ions due to their high surface
area and release it slowly and steadily that commensurate with crop
demand. These fertilizers can be used to control release of nutrients from
fertilizer granules so as to improve nutrient use efficiency.
Nanofertilizer can increase NUE by 3 times,80 to 100 times less requirement
than chemical fertilizers, 10 times more stress tolerance by crop, more
nutrient mobilisation by plants, complete biosource so eco-friendly.

4. USE OF NANOFERTILIZERS IN ARICULTURE
Nano coating or surface coating of nano materials on fertilizer particle
hold the material more strongly due to higher surface tension than
conventional surfaces. Nano coatings provide surface protection for
longer period. Fertilizers with sulphur nano coating are useful slow
release fertilizer as sulphur contents are beneficial especially for sulphur
deficient soil.
Nano sized formulation of mineral micronutrients may improve
solubility on dispersion of insoluble nutrients in soil, reduce soil
absorption and fixation and increase bioavailability.
Zeolites hold nutrient in the root zone for plant to use when required
this leads to more efficient use of N and K fertilizer.

5. Fertilizer particles can be coated with nano membranes that facilitates
slow and steady release of nutrients.
Nano structured formulation might increase fertilizer efficiency and
uptake ratio of soil nutrients in crop production and save fertilizer.
It can extend effective duration of nutrient supply of fertilizer into soil.
It can reduce the los rate of fertilizer nutrients into soil by leaching or
leaking.
It might permit the fertilizer to control the release rate of nutrients so as
to match the crop uptake hence it is called as smart fertilizer.
Ammonium charged zeolites raise the solubilisation of phosphate
minerals and thus the P uptake and yield of crops is increased.

6. ADVANTAGES
• Increase in yield
• Increase use efficiency of fertilizer
• Increase nutrient uptake of soil
• Increase the duration of nutrient
supply
• Reduce the loss of fertilizer
• Slow and targeted delivery
• Cheaper due to nano coating

7. DISADVANTAGES
 Environmental problems
 Hazardous when penetrates skin

8. CONCLUSION
The goal might be the soil more capable in order to improve efficient
nutrient use for greater productivity and better environmental security.
Non fabricated materials containing plants nutrients can be used in
aqueous suspension in hydrogel forms so as to enable hazard free
application easy storage and convenient delivery system.
For ex soil acidity could possibly be ameliorated by use of nano zeolites.
Efforts are made to increase efficiency of applied fertilizer with the help of
nano clays and zeolites and restoration of soil fertility by releasing fixed
nutrients.