Country’s first liquid nano urea plant to be set up in Kalol, Gujarat
Recently the Prime Minister has inaugurated the country’s first Liquid Nano Urea Plant in Kalol (Gujarat). Liquid Nano Urea is a patented chemical nitrogen fertilizer.
It has been developed by the Nano Biotechnology Research Center at IFFCO’s Kalol. This fertilizer is manufactured from nano nitrogen particles 20-50 nanometers.
This is the world’s first nano urea (liquid) plant. One nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter.
It is sprayed directly on the leaves of the plants. It is absorbed by the stomata found on the epidermis (outer layer) of the leaves.
Benefits of Nano Urea
- The efficiency of nano urea ranges from 85-90% as compared to 25% efficiency of conventional urea. This will result in less consumption of urea. At the same time, agricultural yield will also improve.
- Urea imports will come down.
- Government subsidy and logistic cost will come down.
- There will be a reduction in soil, water and air pollution caused by urea.
- Other than this. Will improve the quality of underground water and help in reduction of global warming.
- It will have a longer shelf life since there is no problem of caking when exposed to moisture.
Other potential uses of nanotechnology in agriculture
- Nano-formulations of herbicides, insecticides and other fertilizers can be used.
- Nano-sensors can be used to identify agro-chemical residues and diseases. Can be used in improving plant genetics to increase productivity, nutritional value or shelf life.
Source – The Hindu