Context: A two-year field study conducted by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) scientists on the effectiveness of Liquid Nano Urea has revealed a significant reduction in rice and wheat yields compared to the application of conventional nitrogen (N) fertilizer.

News:

These results highlight the importance of conducting extended, long-term field assessments spanning 5-7 years to determine the equivalence of nano urea to traditional urea and its sustainability in sustaining crop yields.

Key Findings on the Effectiveness of Liquid Nano Urea:

1. Yield Reduction:
   • A substantial decrease in crop yields was observed with the use of nano urea compared to conventional nitrogen fertilizers.
   • Specifically, there was a 21.6% reduction in wheat yield and a 13% decrease in rice yield.
2. Grain Nitrogen Content:
   • The application of nano urea led to a decline in grain nitrogen content in both rice and wheat crops.
   • Grain nitrogen content decreased by 17% for rice and 11.5% for wheat, indicating lower protein levels in the harvested crops.
3. Concerns for Staple Foods:
   • The reduced grain nitrogen content raises concerns, particularly in a country like India where rice and wheat are staple foods providing essential protein and carbohydrates.
4. Cost Considerations:
   • The cost of the nano urea formulation was found to be 10 times higher than that of granular urea, potentially adding to the overall cultivation expenses for farmers.
5. Crop Biomass and Root Volume:
   • The application of nano urea resulted in a decrease in both above-ground biomass and root volume.
   • The reduced root volume had implications for nutrient uptake processes, impacting the overall health and growth of the crops.

Liquid Nano Urea:

Composition:

- Liquid Nano Urea is urea presented in nanoparticle form, serving as a liquid nutrient alternative to traditional urea for supplying nitrogen to plants.

Characteristics:

- Urea is a chemical nitrogen fertilizer, typically white, providing essential nitrogen, a key nutrient for plant growth.

- The nano urea is engineered to substitute conventional urea, potentially reducing the requirement for the latter by at least 50%.

Concentration:

- A 500 ml bottle of Liquid Nano Urea contains 40,000 mg/L of nitrogen, equivalent to the nitrogen impact of one bag of conventional urea.

Launch:

- Introduced in June 2021, Liquid Nano Urea was launched by the Indian Farmers and Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO).

Development:

- Developed domestically at the IFFCO-Nano Biotechnology Research Centre in Kalol, Gujarat, aligning with the principles of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) and Atmanirbhar Krishi (Self-reliant Agriculture).

Importance:

- Particularly significant as India relies on imports to fulfill its urea requirements.

Application Method:

- Liquid Nano Urea is applied as a foliar spray, intended for use once leaves have emerged on the crops.