Mandi: In a development for sustainable agriculture, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi has introduced natural polymer-based multifunctional smart microgels.
These microgels represent a significant leap forward in crop nutrition, with their slow-release mechanism for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers promising to revolutionize farming practices.
With global population projections soaring to an estimated 10 billion by 2050, ensuring food security is paramount. Agriculture stands at the forefront of this challenge, with fertilizers playing a vital role in boosting crop productivity.
However, conventional nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers suffer from low absorption rates, ranging from 30% to 50% and 10% to 25%, respectively. This inefficiency poses obstacles to optimizing agricultural output while minimizing environmental impact.
Modern agriculture's heavy reliance on fertilizers exacerbates the need for sustainable solutions. Traditional fertilizers are prone to gaseous volatilization and leaching, leading to excessive application, high costs, and environmental degradation, including groundwater and soil contamination.
The research, spearheaded by Dr. Garima Agrawal and her team at the School of Chemical Sciences, IIT Mandi, marks a significant breakthrough. Funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board and the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, their findings, published in the esteemed journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces from the American Chemical Society, unveil the potential of natural polymer-based microgels.
Dr. Garima Agrawal, Assistant Professor at IIT Mandi, explained the rationale behind their study, stating, "We have developed natural polymer-based multifunctional smart microgels for the slow release of urea over a longer period.
These microgels also act as a potential source of phosphorus for plants and are cost-effective, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly."
Moreover, Dr. Agrawal emphasized the eco-friendly nature of the microgel formulation, highlighting its applicability in soil mixing or leaf spraying. Recent experiments with maize plants showcased remarkable improvements in seed germination and overall growth compared to traditional urea fertilizer.
This sustained release of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers promises to bolster crop resilience while minimizing fertilizer usage.
The implications of this research are profound, offering a pathway towards sustainable agriculture.
By optimizing nutrient supply, enhancing crop yields, and mitigating environmental challenges associated with traditional fertilizers, these biodegradable microgels represent a beacon of hope for the future of farming.
But will these be affordable to farmers or these are just part of project funding products?
Comments:
Indian agriculture needs technologies that are near to no cost, and much costly farmers don't afford to use. These institutes only do it for patents and as their own R,& D programs in project based funding to continue in the future.
The research in the biotechnological area is unaffordable to farmers, which is the current topic to be written..
-Dr Vijay Singh Thakur, excise Chancellor Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Solan, Himachal Pradesh
