India’s Gift to Agriculture: How Is Liquid Nano Urea Better than Conventional Urea?

• Published Date: December 19, 2022

Nano urea is expected to revolutionize the production of quality crops, and here is how. As a substitute to conventional urea, nano urea liquid is a fertilizer based on nanotechnology that enhances crop growth by refilling plants' nitrogen levels. In addition to increasing the crop's yield and nutritional value, it improving the groundwater water quality, it helps maintain groundwater quality.

Nano urea liquid was invented to replace conventional urea and reduce the plant's need for it by 50%. As per IFFCO, nano urea readily penetrates via stomata and other holes, when sprayed on leaves, and is digested by the plant cells. From the source, it is dispersed through the phloem, to sink into the plant, as necessary.

The plant vacuole stores the wasted nitrogen, which is progressively released to allow for the correct development of the plant. A mere 500mL bottle of this chemical contains 20,000 mg of nitrogen, which is the same amount of nitrogen as in one bag of regular urea. It also has the same nutritional impact.

It was created domestically at the Nano Biotechnology Research Centre (NBRC) in Kalol, Gujarat, through exclusive, patented technology. Due to its capacity to replace traditional urea, while offering lower input costs, larger crop yields, and better prices, due to higher-quality crops, the demand for nano urea is rapidly increasing globally.

Many nations already use drones to sprinkle urea on agricultural areas. Hence, the global demand for nano urea is expected to grow due to the increasing use of new agricultural methods.

How Is LNU Better than Conventional Urea?

Higher Efficiency

While liquid nano urea up to 85% efficient, its conventional counterpart is only about 25% efficient. This higher effectiveness is mostly due to nanotechnology, which makes it possible to design extremely small particles with greater surface-to-mass ratios, which aids in the regulated delivery of crop nutrients.

The nitrogen in conventional urea is frequently administered incorrectly, and it evaporates or is lost as gas, which prevents it from having the desired effect on crops. During irrigation, a significant amount of nitrogen is also lost.

Less Environmental Fallout

In addition to being affordable, nano urea liquid holds the potential of offering an eco-friendly solution for crop nutrition, since, although requiring less application than its present form, it increases crop nutrient efficiency, while lowering soil, water, and air pollution.

Currently, only 30–50% of the nitrogen in urea is used by plants, with the remainder wasted owing to the speedy chemical removal caused by leaching, which contaminates water and soil as well; and volatilization, which releases nitrous oxide into the sky and causes global warming and air pollution, in addition to a low nutritional effect on the crop.

Targeted Supply of Nutrients to Crops

Spraying liquid nano urea straight on to the leaves causes it to be absorbed by the plant. As they are received by the stomata, the holes located on the epidermis of the leaves, fertilizers in the nano form offer crops a focused supply of nutrients.

Economical

At least one bag of urea can be successfully replaced with a bottle of nano urea. A half-liter container of liquid nano urea costs $3.01 (INR 240), and it is even subsidy-free. In comparison, a farmer spends about $3.77 (around INR 300) for a 50kg bag of generously subsidized urea.

Why Will India Lead Nano Urea Revolution?

The Asia-Pacific region already consumes the highest amount of agrochemicals, a situation that probably will not change anytime soon. Already one of the top manufacturers of nano urea, India is expected to further increase production, in response to the rapidly rising demand for food by its ever-growing population.

India is the second-largest agricultural powerhouse in the world, after China. Water use optimization, better soil, and fertilizer management may boost crop output, which will keep the agriculture industry growing. This is why nano urea consumption continues to grow in the country, which is under immense pressure to feed its ballooning population, a large portion of which is severely malnourished.

What Are Benefits of Nano Urea Liquid?

• The plant nutrition provided by this product is effective and efficient, resulting in increased yield and better nutrient quality.
• The IFFCO claims that nano urea liquid will also improve groundwater quality and significantly reduce global warming, which will encourage sustainable development and slow down climate change.
• A surplus of urea pollutes the environment, damages the soil quality, makes plants more prone to insect infestation and disease, delays crop maturity, and reduces productivity.
• The plant does not fully absorb conventional urea, most of which is absorbed by the soil, water, and air.
• Moreover, it produces less waste, which increases plant uptake efficiency and output.
• Its aids in reducing the government-provided input subsidy for conventional urea fertilizer.
• The delivery and storage of conventional urea are particularly challenging, since it costs farmers money to transfer the materials to their fields and takes up a lot of storage space at dealer locations.

Nano Urea Usage Instructions

Since nano urea is sold in a liquid solution and sprayed over leaves, just 3–4 mL per liter of water is the recommended dosage. Per acre, merely 500 mL of this product is enough. It should be administered in two doses: the first spray during the height of tillering/branching (in most cases, 25 to 30 days after planting or transplanting) and the second spray before the start of blossoming.

Only the leaves of plants need to be sprayed, since drip irrigation and spraying on soil are not advised. IFFCO tests the compatibility of several particular plant protection agents with nano urea.

If it starts to rain right away after you spray, you can repeat the process to get the desired effect. Therefore, avoid spraying on wet or windy days. To prevent health risks, wear gloves and safety eyewear when spraying nano urea or other plant protection chemicals.

Future Usage Potential of Nano Urea

Farmers are moving away from traditional urea due to the introduction of advanced fertilizers, such as nano urea (liquid), which is supplied via farmer cooperative societies and merchants.

The "Guidelines for Evaluation of Nano-Based Agri-Input and Food Products in India" published by the Department of Biotechnology contain details on the safety, functionality, efficacy, and other parameters of IFFCO nano zinc, nano copper, and nano nitrogen. The guidelines have been adopted from and harmonized with those of the REACH, EPA, OECD, TSCA, FAO, APVMA, FDA, WHO, FSANZ, EFSA, Codex, and ICH.

A new era of high-impact fertilizers with small environmental footprints has begun with the release of the world's first nano-fertilizer, IFFCO nano urea (liquid). It has started a new era for crop management, plant nutrition, and global farmer awareness.

Thus, the demand for this agrochemical has arisen in many countries. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers’ Department of Fertilisers (DOF) has given IFFCO the approval to export nano urea fertilizer under the following restrictions:

• Exports of nano urea fertilizer cannot amount to more than 20% of the annual output.
• Nano urea fertilizer can’t be made using any subsidized raw materials (fertilizer or urea).
• On an individual basis and using the required form, IFFCO may request an NOC from the DOF.

Moreover, in response to an IFFCO request, liquid nano urea can now be exported to several European countries, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, the U.S., Thailand, Kenya, and Nepal.

This fertilizer's commercial production has begun thanks to an efficient scaling up of the manufacturing process from the lab to the plant stage.

What Crops Is Liquid Nano Urea Best for?

Cereals & Grains

Subsistence crops for human use are known as food crops, and they majorly include cereals and grains. Wheat is the among most-extensively farmed crops worldwide. Along with it, rice and maize are the most-widely consumed foods. These crops are the main sources of energy for humans; therefore, this is what farmers use the highest amounts of liquid nano urea for.

Cash Crops

Contrary to subsistence crops, which are grown for human consumption, cash crops are grown to make a profit, by being sold on the market or exported. The class, which includes sugarcane, oilseeds, tobacco, and cotton, serves as feedstock for a variety of commercially lucrative commodities.

In addition to helping plants perform photosynthesis more quickly, nano urea is effective in promoting bloom development better than regular urea, considering that conventional nitrogen-based fertilizers cannot supply phosphorus or potassium.

Horticultural Crops

Fruit, medicinal, vegetable, aromatic, and ornamental plants are all examples of horticultural crops. These plants have substantial aesthetic value for people and are key dietary nutritious components, medicinal agents, and scent sources. Urea promotes greater yields of flowers and other crops, as well as faster growth.

The world's population is growing at a fast pace, and horticulture is becoming increasingly crucial to cater to the need for vegetables, fruits, and other products. Because nano urea is environmentally benign and increases plant output, the agriculture industry is switching from regular urea to it.

Conclusion

Nano urea comes in bottles, just one of which is equal to one bag of conventional urea. Its usage can successfully result in a decrease in the soil, water, and air pollution that results from the excessive usage of chemical fertilizers at both the consumption and production levels.