INTEGRATED USE OF NANO AND NON NANO-FERTILIZERS

Fertilizers, nutrients encapsulated inside nano porous materials, coated with thin polymer film, or delivered as particle or emulsions of nano scales dimensions are known as Nano-fertilizers. Nano-particles below 100 nm size can be used as fertilizer for efficient nutrient management besides an added advantage of stress tolerating ability. Nano-fertilizers provide the major nutrients to the crop as per the requirement in a phased manner as it contains nutrients and growth promoters encapsulated in nano scale polymers. These nano scale polymers ensure low and a target efficient release for providing the nutrients to the crop in a sustained manner during its life cycle thus ensuring increased nutrient use efficiency. These could also release their active ingredients in response to environmental triggers and biological demands more precisely and play a beneficial role in soil health by building up C uptake, improving soil aggregation and water holding capacity. Nano-fertilizers being encapsulated in nano-particles increase the uptake of nutrients and made through biological process, are eco-friendly and have been designed to match inorganic fertilizers in terms of application rates.