Nano Urea

25.11.2024

Nano Urea

Why in the news?

State-owned National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) recently announced its entry into nano liquid urea production.

About Nano Urea:

• It is a nanotechnology-based revolutionary agri-input that provides nitrogen to plants.
• It is developed and patented by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).
• IFFCO Nano Urea is the only nano fertilizer approved by the Government of India and included in the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO).

Features of the Nano Urea:

• Compared to conventional urea prill, Nano Urea has a desirable particle size of about 20-50 nm, and more surface area (10,000 times over 1 mm urea prill), and number of particles (55,000 nitrogen particles over 1 mm urea prill).
• It contains 4.0 % total nitrogen (w/v).

Benefits of the Nano Urea :

• It is produced by an energy-efficient, environment-friendly production process with less carbon footprints.
• It is more efficient in terms of nutrient uptake and releases nitrogen more slowly.
• It reduces the amount of nitrogen lost to the atmosphere as greenhouse gases.
• It is expected to improve crop productivity, soil health, and nutritional quality of produce and address the "imbalanced and excessive use" of conventional fertilizer.

                                                       Source: The Economic Times

Consider the following statements regarding Nano Urea:

Statement-I:It is developed and patented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Statement-II:It is more efficient in terms of nutrient uptake and releases nitrogen more slowly.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer D