Turmeric Man of Himachal Pradesh

Introduction:

A research team from IIT-Mandi has developed natural polymer-based multifunctional smart microgels. These microgels can release nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers over an extended period, making them a promising option for enhancing crop nutrition while minimising detrimental environmental impacts.

The Need for Sustainable Agriculture:

As global populations surge towards an estimated 10 billion by 2050, ensuring food security has become increasingly critical. Agriculture plays a pivotal role in meeting this demand, with fertilisers playing a significant role in boosting crop productivity. However, traditional nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) fertilisers have low absorption rates, posing challenges in optimising agricultural output while minimising environmental impact.

Issues with Traditional Fertilisers:

- Inefficiency of traditional nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilisers, with absorption rates being as low as 30 to 50 per cent and 10 to 25 per cent, respectively

- Gaseous volatilisation and leaching lead to excessive fertiliser application, resulting in high costs and adverse effects on the environment, including groundwater and soil contamination, as well as human health.

The Solution: Biodegradable Microgels

- Natural polymer-based multifunctional smart microgels developed by IIT-Mandi research team

- Eco-friendly and biodegradable, made with natural polymers

- Can be applied by mixing into the soil or by spraying onto plant leaves

- Can release nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers over an extended period, enhancing crop nutrition while minimising detrimental environmental impacts

Benefits of Biodegradable Microgels:

- Improves germination and overall plant growth compared to pure urea fertiliser

- Cost-effective, biodegradable and environment friendly

- Sustained release of nitrogen and phosphorus helps crops thrive while cutting down on fertiliser use

- Offers a promising solution to optimising nutrient supply, enhancing crop yields and mitigating environmental challenges associated with traditional fertilisers

Conclusion:

The development of biodegradable microgels by the IIT-Mandi research team is a significant breakthrough in sustainable agriculture. The eco-friendly and biodegradable microgels can release nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers over an extended period, enhancing crop nutrition while minimising detrimental environmental impacts. This offers a promising solution to optimising nutrient supply, enhancing crop yields and mitigating environmental challenges associated with traditional fertilisers.