Context:
A recent opinion paper has questioned the scientific authenticity of Nano liquid urea produced by the country’s largest fertiliser manufacturer Indian Farmers and Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO).
IFFCO, a multi-state cooperative society is wholly owned by Cooperative Societies of India. It is engaged in the business of manufacturing and marketing of fertilizers.
Nano Liquid Urea:
- Urea encapsulated in nanoparticle form.
- Serves as a nutrient-rich liquid alternative to conventional urea
- It effectively delivering nitrogen to plants.
- Purpose – To replace conventional urea and curtail the requirement by at least 50%.
- Nitrogen nutrient approximation: 500 ml bottle of Nano Liquid Urea = 1 bag of conventional urea
- Indigenously developed at Nano Biotechnology Research Centre, Kalol, Gujarat.
- What is Urea?
- A chemical nitrogen fertilizer that is white in colour.
- It artificially provides nitrogen (major nutrient for plants)
- Importance –
- Increases production with improved nutritional quality.
- Reduces the excess use of Urea application in the soil
- Makes crops stronger, healthier and protect them from the lodging effect.
- Concerns raised –
- Emphasizes that nitrogen, a vital compound for crop growth, has been linked to numerous environmental issues such as Climate Change, Ocean Acidification, and Ozone Depletion.
Lodging is the displacement of stem and roots of plants from their proper and vertical placement either due to the higher Nitrogen application, higher wind speed, excessive soil moisture, soil density, storm damage, sowing date or over plant population.
Source: Down to Earth
Previous Year Question
With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements:
1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
