After nano urea, research finds dip in yield and plant growth with nano DAP
- August 28, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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After nano urea, research finds dip in yield and plant growth with nano DAP
Subject: Geo
Sec: Eco Geo
Context: A two-year field experiment on the efficacy of nano diammonium phosphate (DAP) by scientists from the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has found a substantial decrease in wheat yields compared to conventional nitrogen fertiliser application.
More about the study
- A decline in plant height and nutrient content in wheat grain and straw, which is essential for protein production, was also observed.
- This research revealed that the efficiency of nano DAP is still unclear, similar to concerns raised about the benefits of nano urea.
- There was a 16.1 per cent decline in wheat grain yield with two sprays of nano DAP and zero application of recommended dosage of phosphorous (RDP) i.e. traditional DAP — grain yield was 47.61 quintals / hectare (q / ha) in the first treatment compared to 56.75 q / ha in the latter.
- Plant height at maturity was 78.63 cm in the first scenario and 79.53 cm in the second.
- The government claimed that nano DAP contains 8 per cent of nitrogen and 16 per cent of phosphorus, which can replace a 50 kg bag of traditional DAP.
- Incidentally, the yield was almost similar in a scenario where 100 per cent RDP was combined with two sprays of nano DAP.
- The research was done by Rajeev Sikka, Jeevanjot Dhaliwal and Mandeep Kaur in 2022 and 2023 on nano DAP released by Coromandel International Ltd, which is one of the three companies which have been granted permission to manufacture nano DAP by the government. The other two are Zuari Farm Hub Limited and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).
- PAU soil scientists evaluated foliar application of nano DAP and traditional DAP under 12 different scenarios at the research farms of the Department of Soil Science, PAU Ludhiana. Apart from only traditional DAP and only nano DAP treatments, they also examined grain yield and plant height under a combination of both, like 50 per cent or 75 per cent RDP with one or two sprays of nano DAP.
- The total plant uptake of nitrogen and phosphorous was 17.58 kg / ha when two sprays of nano DAP were done, compared to 26.60 kg / ha in case of traditional DAP.
DAP
- DAP is the second-most consumed fertiliser in the country after urea and thus also the second after urea to be promoted by the government in liquid form in order to substantially reduce imports, cut down fertiliser subsidy bill and promote efficient use of chemical fertilisers.
- Out of the estimated annual consumption of around 10-12.5 million tonnes of DAP, domestic production is around 4-5 million tonnes and the rest is imported.
Nano Urea
Context: In 2021, the government had launched nano urea but there have been continuous questions about its scientifically proven efficiency in being a better substitute for traditional granular urea.
Concept :
- Nano Urea (Liquid) is a source of nitrogen which is a major essential nutrient required for proper growth and development of a plant. Nitrogen is a key constituent of amino acids, enzymes, genetic materials, photosynthetic pigments and energy transfer compounds in a plant. Typically, nitrogen content in a healthy plant is in the range of 1.5 to 4%.
- Foliar application of Nano Urea (Liquid) at critical crop growth stages of a plant effectively fulfils its nitrogen requirement and leads to higher crop productivity and quality in comparison to conventional urea.
- Nano Urea (Liquid) contains nanoscale nitrogen particles which have more surface area (10,000 times over 1 mm Urea prill) and number of particles (55,000 nitrogen particles over 1 mm Urea prill).which makes it more impactful.
- In comparison to Urea the uptake efficiency of Nano Urea is more than 80 %. It is thus, required in lesser measure compared to the conventional urea fertiliser to fulfil plant’s nitrogen requirement.
- Nano Urea (liquid) increases crop productivity and can reduce the requirement of conventional Urea by 50%.
- Application of nano urea (liquid) improves yield, biomass, soil health and nutritional quality of the produce.
- Nano Urea (liquid) has been tested for biosafety and toxicity as per the guidelines of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and OECD international guidelines.
- Nano Urea (liquid) is completely safe for human, animals, birds, rhizosphere organisms and environment at the recommended levels of application.
- Nano Urea (Liquid) does not involve any government subsidyand will be made available to farmers at a 10% lower price than a bag of subsidised Urea.
- Transportation would be easier and economical, as one 500 ml bottle would be equivalent to one bag of regular urea fertiliser.
Benefits of IFFCO Nano Urea
Nano Urea (liquid) has manifold benefits:
- Reduces the requirement of conventional Urea by 50% or more
- Required less and produces more: Efficacy of one bottle of Nano Urea (500 mL) is equivalent to one bag of urea.
- Environment friendly product, can improve Soil, Air & Water quality thus, helps in addressing the concerns of Global Warming and in meeting the UN SDGs.
- Cheaper than conventional urea.
- Reduce input cost to farmers, leads to increase in farmers’ income.
- Improves crop productivity, soil health and nutritional quality of produce.
Mechanism of assimilation by plants
- When sprayed on leaves Nano Urea easily enters through stomata and other openings and is assimilated by the plant cells.
- It is easily distributed through phloem from source to sink inside the plant as per its need. Unutilised nitrogen is stored in the plant vacuole and is slowly released for proper growth and development of plant.