Nano Urea

• Context (DTE): Applying nano urea substantially decreased rice and wheat yields compared to conventional nitrogen (N) fertiliser application.
• A decline in grain nitrogen content, essential for protein production, was also observed.

What is Nano Urea?

• It is essentially urea (nitrogenous fertiliser) in the form of a nanoparticle. it has a desirable particle size of about 20-50 nm and more surface area.
• The liquid nano urea produced by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) is an alternative to conventional nitrogen (N) fertiliser.
• While conventional urea has an efficiency of about 25 per cent, the efficiency of liquid nano urea is as high as 85-90 per cent.

Advantages

• Nano Urea is produced by an energy-efficient, environment-friendly production process.
• Increased availability to crop by more than 80%, resulting in higher Nutrient Use efficiency.
• Helps in reducing the country’s subsidy bill.
• Reduces the unbalanced and indiscriminate use of conventional urea, thereby minimising soil, water, and air pollution.
• Provides a targeted supply of nutrients to crops as Liquid nano urea is sprayed directly on the leaves (foliar fertilisation) and gets absorbed by the plant.