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Research trials on the effects of nano fertilisers on the nutritional quality of crops have only been conducted for a year and just one season for most cases. Long-term effects, therefore, can not be drawn at this stage, noted a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers.
Nano fertilisers are highly efficient type of fertilisers that provide nutrients like nitrogen to crops through fine granules. Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plant functions. Urea is one of the most concentrated nitrogenous fertilisers, which readily converts to ammonia in the soil.
Nano urea liquid was developed in 2022 by the biggest cooperative in the world, Indian Farmers and Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), to replace conventional urea and curtail its requirement by 50 per cent. A 500-millilitres spray bottle can substitute a full 45-kilogramme bag of urea.
It has been heavily promoted by the government since its development.
The committee on chemicals and fertilisers, in its report titled ‘Nano-Fertilisers for Sustainable Crop production and Maintaining Soil Health’, recommended a thorough audit of the field trials on applying nano fertilisers.
Nano fertilisers exploit the nanoscale porous domains on plant surfaces to deliver nutrients, according to a study published in journal Nature. They also improve the effectiveness of nitrogen delivery and reduce the losses to the environment.
The savings in topdress nitrogen with the application of nano urea during field trials was found to vary between 25 to 50 per cent, the committee learnt. Topdressing is the process of adding a second round of nitrogen to crops to compensate for any deficiencies.
The panel suggested an audit for different crops in different regions by the Department of Fertilisers in coordination with other ministries/organisations to assess the reasons behind the huge variation in nitrogen saving while topdressing.
The report said:
The committee desire that a thorough audit of the field trials on application of nano fertilisers may be got conducted by the Department in coordination with other ministries/organisations, to assess the reasons for huge variation (25 to 50 per cent) in topdress nitrogen saving on different crops and in different regions, by the premier agricultural research institutes, etc.
The reasons for variance and effects should be scientifically analysed. Crop-specific procedures on how to appropriately apply nano urea to minimise or remove the variance range should be formulated, the panel added.
A concerted long-term dedicated research by covering all the major crops in all the agroclimatic regions and soil types of the country was also suggested by the committee.
This will help thoroughly assess the merits and demerits of using nano fertilisers and establish nutritional quality, bio-safety, efficacy and reliability of the harvested produce of nano fertilisers treated crops.
This study, the report said, should be conducted by the department with Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), all the agricultural universities and fertiliser manufacturing companies.
Meanwhile, the report also took note of how the use of nano urea can help the government save approximately $3 billion (around Rs 24,687 crore) in subsidy bills annually and reduce India’s dependence on urea imports.
Nano fertilisers are also said to cost less than subsidised conventional fertilisers, resulting in lower input costs for the farmers.
The committee also urged the department and IFFCO to expedite the process of inclusion of other nano fertilisers, which have been developed by the multi-state cooperative and undergone sufficient field trials.
After nano urea, research trials of Nano Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) are also underway. During the Kharif season of 2021, IFFCO has conducted Nano DAP research trials on 10 crops across 34 locations in 20 states under the National Agriculture Research System (NARS).
However, the results of these trials have not been submitted to Government of India for evaluation, the report said.
IFFCO had been engaged in the research and development of nano fertilisers since 2017.
They have developed nano fertiliser macronutrients grades like Nano Nitrogen and Nano DAP, and secondary or micronutrient grades like Nano Zinc, Nano Copper, Nano Boron, Nano Sulphur, etc at Nano Biotechnology Research Centre in Kalol, Gujarat.
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