I think it is time to replace chemical fertilizers by bio-organic fertilizers. When one produces crops one has to produce natural fertilizers for these crops as well. If farmers don't follow that track, carbon content in soils will drop, erosion will increase and finally one ends up with an infertile desert and no crops at all.

Examples enough for this phenomenon. Durable agriculture requires the use of durable fertilizers and agro-systems.

Nano fertilizers are important in agriculture to increase crop yield and nutrient use efficiency, and to reduce excessive use.

Yes it is the right time due to the Agricultural land is decreasing day by day due to erosion, environmental pollution, unconscious irrigation and fertilization.

In the recent years, Nano fertilizers have begun to be produced to obtain the highest amount and quality of production from the unit area. Previous research shows that Nano fertilizers cause an increase in the use efficiency of plant nutrients, reduce soil toxicity, minimize the potential adverse effects of excessive chemical fertilizer use, and reduce fertilizer application frequency.

The time is right, but still it will take time to be implemented at large scale. Chemical fertilizers can be supplemented with Bio-fertilizers and Resistant varieties.

In my opinion, it is the right time now to replace chemical fertilizer by nanofertilizer, but the use of nanotechnology for fertilizers is still in its early stage of development. Therefore, much more study is needed for large-scale application. I agree with Mr. Frank Veroustraete and Mr. Raham Sher Khan.

I share the link of an interesting published review article "Nanofertilizer use for sustainable agriculture: Advantages and limitations"

Article Nanofertilizer use for sustainable agriculture: Advantages a...

@ Prem babu, I fully agree with you, but whether we have enough data for ethical studies to support the technology as well as the proper doses for each and every crop at the present moment?

Nano-fertilizer technology is a recent innovation. Replacing conventional methods of fertilizer application by nano-fertilizers

Nani perchè bassi?

Da dove derivano e come sono fatti?

Processo e prodotto sono conosciuti? da chi?

Quando sapremo questo ne riparliamo.

Thank you Dr. Prem Baboo , You have explained it in details. Yes, replacing conventional methods of fertilizer application by nano-fertilizers

In some parts of the world, this may be the right time while in others it may take time to be adopted because of differences in socio-economic status of farmers....

I am not qualified to answer this - but in my studies last year I came across an academic paper on this subject which concluded that this area needs more research.... the nutritional balance in crops had been shifted - I think it was corn - the edible part lost nutrients but the stem had an increased volume of nutrients - as I said, I'm by no means qualified and I can't put my hand on that paper, but it might be worth spending a few hours scanning through some research. Changing natural balance of nutrition could possibly have a massive impact on the food chain.

As I understand,we are not ready to replace chemical fertilizers and organic sources even in small areas with nanofertilizers.Where are the nanofertilizers tested, validated,and protocols developed even in a few crops for ready use by farmers?Let the Laboratories which spent money and developed nanofertilizers take lead and come up with protocols and get approval from competent authorities for use by farmers.

Thank you Dr. Rao for your nice suggestion.

I am working on Nanofertilizers for the last few years and I feel that the nano fertilizers have great potential but the environmental fate of the nano-particles is still questionable. Various factors such as cost, compatibility, and knowledge translation at the farmer level need to be considered before the use of this technology. The low cost of chemical fertilizer is still a big barrier to the successful use of nano fertilizers. But still, I am very much hopeful and excited about nano fertilizers because I am observing interesting results.

@ Bhaskar, the requirement of nanofertilizers are much less as compared to the chemical fertilizers. Therefore, if you calculate cost per hectare basis then the nanofertilizer cost is 2-4 times less than chemical fertilizer. However, the knowledge translation to the farmer is a valid point and Industries as well as extension people should take initiative. Government also need to take initiative to include it under FCO so that industries can come forward for larger production that also helps to reduce the cost.

J. C. Tarafdar I agree with you. Initiatives from respective institutions and industries are very much required.

As pointed out by Dr Rao, Laboratories and industries, working on nano fertilizers need to demonstrate the same in farmers field, after approval by the government and rightly suggested it needs to be included in FCO so that industries can go for production. According to my understanding, some of the fertilizer industries are already working on that and IFFCO has a plant for production it seems. But I feel, still long way to go for replacing conventional fertilizers.

@ Surendran, thank you for your observation. I personally feel ethical issues needs to address more elaborately along with the stability and doses of the nanofertilizers.

Yes sir. I agree, but we (ICAR/ SAUs and the other laboratories working on these ) have to take a lead role and address those issues and need to demonstrate these at farmers field and clear those doubts. As you mentioned, there is lot of saving in fertilizers , improvement in crop productivity, it has to reach the next level and these may be the right time, since we are facing stagnation in productivity.

Dear Dr. J. C. Tarafdar ,

Nanofertilizers have been proven in several studies to improve nutrient utilization by crops. They have great potential to improve crop production. However, their impacts on the environment, humans, and lower forms of animals in the ecosystem are not yet well understood. Thus, in my opinion, it is not yet the right time to replace chemical fertilizers with nanofertilizers. --Luz

@ Luz, I agree with you, that lot of research on ethical issues needs to be done. But, as fertilizers are generally nutrients and we are applying very small amount as nano form due to less requirement for optimum growth than conventional fertilizer . In that case, is it not advisable to shift gradually the conventional fertilizers by nano fertilizers? Because preliminary report shows the recommended doses are not harmful at all even after 5 years of continuous application.

Dear Dr. J. C. Tarafdar ,

Thank you for your kind response. Maybe a slow shift from conventional fertilizers to nanofertilizers is probably justified at this time. ---Luz

I agree with Dr. J. C. Tarafdar. I consider that it is time to introduce the application of nanofertilizers and especially in developing countries where every penny is necessary for the development of agriculture and other areas such as health, although we must study more aspects of biosafety. With these nanofertilizers we seek efficiency in the assimilation of nutrients and reduction of the losses of conventional fertilizers that end up in surface and underground water sources.

I think its a better option to reduce the fertilizer loss and enhance the crop uptake efficiency. But this field need strong reserch to standardise the dose, time and methods aof applying nano fertilizers.

For your kind information.

Government of India has given the guidelines for evaluation of use of nano products in agriculture. Hopefully this will be a boon for the question asked (replacement of conventional fertilizers)

We alrealdy know some benefits of nano-fertilizers, how about their shortages? How about their performance in the large-scale and long-term field trial? Are there any impacts on crop quality, soil health and other environmental concerns? Are they ecnomical-efficiency, I mean acceptable to farmers considering the yield and cost? More work need to be done prior to the application or even substitution for conventional fertilizers to some extent. We are welcome to the advancement of novel techs, while overall evaluation is also of vital importance. Hope to witness the changes.

It can be, but the fate of lots of nao-particles is still unknown. Comprehensive research work is needed to be done along with comparative studies to make a general decision.

@ Ping, some work has been reported on crop quality, soil health and economical efficiency with some of the crops and nano-nutrients for short term study say for 3-4 years but definitely more work is needed to recommend for complete substitution. I am really thankful to all of you for your participation in the discussion.

Maybe!

Many thanks to all the participants in the discussion of this topic for their technical comments. I think that we must still dedicate more effort to evaluating the economic impact and biosafety in the use of nanofertilizers.

I fully agree with Dr. Osvalo Brigido, we need more discussion on economic, ethical and biosafety issues.

I agree with Dr. Tarafdar because I am doing work on ZnO nano-particles and the result is amazing, it reduces the NPK.

@ Omkar, thank you for your feed back ; have you calculated the economics compared to the recommended doses of application ?

It is well proved that nano-fertilizer increased the nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity by the mechanism of controlled release of nutrients ,it also increase the activity of microbes and plant. Many agro industries seeking interest to produce nano-fertilizers. No doubt it is the right time to replace chemical fertilizer by nano-fertilizer?

@ Rahul, you are absolutely right but I concern with the ethical issues and doses. Whether we have enough information to pull it further?

I feel it is better to replace chemical fertilizer by nano-fertilizer which will be more effective than regular chemical fertilizers. However, what is the fate of the nano-particles in the plant body that should be fully explored.

How much amounts of nanofertlizers one can apply to supply macronutrients like N,P,K to high- yielding cereal crops to sustain their production and productivity on longterm basis without impovershing/exhausting the soil nutrient source?One has to see the cost involved in production of nano fertilizers,affordability of application and environmental safety in cluding human and animal health.

Thank you all for participating in the discussion and the opinions provided on the subject.

In my opinion, it is not the right time to apply nanofertilizers. No doubt, many of the nanofertilizers increased the nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity, but the toxicity issues on the plant and soil beneficial microorganisms is not studied in detailed. Further, the fate of nanocarriers is not discussed much in many research. Thus, significant more research is needed to explore each and every aspect of nano based formulations. Further, I think so far there is no nano based pesticide and fertilizers formulation in the market. As you mentioned, I would like to know the name of companies who started to produce nano-fertilizer in commercial scale.

In my opinion, nano fertiliser also chemical fertiliser only! There is no fertiliser without chemicals! As far as NANO concerns, many materials are based on unnatural structure, hence utilisation in natural field is always questionable considering the acceptance by the nature. Hence, I believe usage of nature(bio)-based materials with the combination of nanotechnology and the complete study on impact in the field and users (human and animals) is the need of the hour..I do agree with Sandeep with his explanation..

Chemical pollution is the cause of environmental and ecological consequences and replenish nutrient levels in soil. It increases acidification and mineral depletion in the soil. On the other hand, nano-fertilizers are prepared from plant materials. These nano-fertilizers have high transport and nutrient delivery through the plasmodesmata resulting in higher nutrient use efficiency (NUE). With higher NUE, it leads to higher productivity and improves the nutritional quality of crops. Hence, considering the risk of chemical fertilizers, it is better to use nano-fertilizers for both environmental and human safety and also for better plant growth.

I think it is not yet the right time to replace the chemical fertilizer by nano-fertilizer especially for developing countries like Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan. Becuase

We don't know yet about the details of the Nano-fertiizers.

We have to study in depth on it especially its both the positive and negative effects on crop, soil properties, microbes etc.

Our farmers are not yet familar with usage of it.

So it will take time to get fine tunning findings.

Thanks

The time has not ripened yet.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

What about nano toxicology ???

@Ratan, Nanotoxicology is the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials. Because of quantum size effects and large surface area to volume ratio, nanomaterials have unique properties compared with their larger counterparts that affect their toxicity. Therefore, after lot of research standard doses of each and every nanonutrients are fixed for application so that the toxicity can be minimized or omit.

yes. This is right time to use Nano fertilizer so as to increase FUE and reduce cost

@ V.M., I agree with you but at the same time I feel we should intensify our research on ethical issues so that before complete adoption we have enough data in hand to take care of .

I think not yet, nanofertilizer particularly, which chemically synthetized may cause many environmental problems and toxicity. What I can recommend are the biological synthetized nanofertilizer. This issue needs a time for more studies in agroecosystems for cultivated plants, groundwater and finally human health.

Thank you Dr. Hassan, I appreciate your views.

Hassan Ragab El-Ramady

I believe we are not yet ready to replace chemical fertilizers with nano-fertilizers. More research is needed to make nano-fertilizers more economical and to ensure that these do not have environmental consequences.

Thank you Dr. Singh for your valuable comments.

Chemical fertilizers will continue to stay as main dominating role in improvising the agriculture for quite a long time. The same way, coated fertilizers , yet so far from realism of commercial scale use, despite having some distinct advantages. There are some environmental concerns , they need to be thoroughly addressed ,apart from 4R modules...

Nano-fertilisers and Biofertilizer is very good option and enhance soil fertility and also possible

further research for standardization is needed before we recommended nana-fertilizers and biofertilizers

No Sir, Need more research about the toxicity of nano fertilizers.

Are there any current ongoing research projects addressing the issues like safety , toxicity and environmental problems concerning nanofertilizers use, especially with some promising nanofertilizers already developed? If the promising nanofertilizers are tested for the above mentioned aspects, they can easily enter into the market and and reach the farmers at an early date.Government level or institutional level priority need to be set for early evaluation of the nanofertilizers, developing all the protocols needed for their safe use, management and monitoring by Government agencies.

Yes

this is the suitable time to replace the chemical fertizer by nano fertilizer due to advantages related to environment and sustainbility. but major concern about the availabilty and farm mechanization in context of indian scenario having fragemented and small land holding with poor economic condition of farmer.

No SIr.

Still, chemical fertilizer needs to be continued and more field research required for nano fertilizers.

Nice question J. C. Tarafdar Sir,

Have very little exposure on the subject; nevertheless, curious on how soils will react to nano-fertilizers, those are well off with nano-clays. Secondly, nano-nutrients residence time in sub-soils may reduce due faster transformation (high use efficiency), What about sustain soil fertility? Lastly, advance technology might expect premium (purchase) price from the end users.

Completely agree with J. C. Tarafdar Bijay Singh Annangi Subba Rao Anoop Kumar Srivastava Sirs response

yes i think it is good option, Where I am currently working on applying some of it as fertilizer on some crops such as yellow corn, wheat and others.

Chemical fertilizers cannot be replaced by nano-fertilizers before studying their genetic and phenotypic toxicity on living organisms and following up on their environmental impact and their accumulation in food chains.

Nano fertilization, as an uprising and promising technology, needs to be much more studied and evaluated before being recommended on a wide scale. Based on my experience, it gave promising results in mushroom production mainly on Pleurotus ostreatus reducing thereby the use of conventional fertilizers and presenting some improvements in terms of mushroom's nutritional value. However, it could be a limiting factor in rural and poor areas in the world as it is much more costly than conventional fertilizers. Briefly, we are still unable to completely substitute conventional fertilizers by nano-ones.

@ Sami, thank you for your view and sharing your results.

More research in semi field and field conditions is required. Without proper research we should not release any kind of nanofertilizers in soil- that may cause bioaccumulaion of metals or any other harmful substance. So for now research mode should be elevated for field trials.

Nano Fertilizer is still now a Fancy Term for Me. How handling problem be overcomed?

If we are talking about Nano fertilizer, say for applying 100kg of Nitrogen We have to apply 225kg Urea. Which makes it easy for Handling and better application, less Chance of Application Error is there..

In cobtrast, Nano fertilizer will much more concentrated than so called our Current Fertilizers, There will be chance of application Errors during handling and even distribution is not sometimes possible when we pallnibg for larger scale. Little error in Handling will cause Loss in Nutrient and Money.

Cost of Nano Fertilizer also may be a problem. It will with higher cost. So, I think it's not the right time to think about Nano.

Yes sir. It is the right time to replace the chemical fertilizers with nano fertilzers. Recently KVK, Palem in collaboartion with IFFCO distributed nano urea bottles (500ml) to the farmers results yet to be collected sir.

I appreciate all of your views.

@ Sachin, thank you for your views. So far it is clear that with recommended doses of application nanofertilizers are economic and environment friendly as compared to the respective chemical fertilizers. We have calculated for phosphorus and it is at least 2 times less costly than chemical fertilizer application per hectare of 21 crops tested so far. In fact, IFFCO is testing large number of crops for the purpose throughout India.

@ Sachin, lower rate of application needed is definitely one of the factor for less cost. The higher efficiency may due to their greater penetration and absoroption as well as the ability to activate the co-factors of the plant and microbial cells resulted more release of beneficial enzymes by the plant and microbes vis-a-vis more mobilisation of native nutrients.

I think no studies so far has been conducted on residual fertility.

J. C. Tarafdar, Good question at a time we are talking planetary health and Food security. In some communities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa myths around the use of chemical fertilizers are yet to be unraveled. Some farmers do not even use fertilizers for cost and knowledge-related reasons and those using fertilizers don't master rate, dose and mode of application. Transitioning to nano fertilizers in such a situation seems unfeasible for the same reasons, yet there is a need to increase agricultural productivity, achieve food security within planetary boundaries. If the introduction of nano fertilizers will be accompanied with sufficient outreach to unravel the current myths around chemical fertilizers, then it is time bring them in.

Yes sir, use of nano-fertilizers is recommended over the chemical fertilizers. But the use of organic fertilizers should be increased as well otherwise, soil health become more miserable and nano-fertilizers like new technology will also not found useful to produce targeted crop yields. Thank you!

Nano technology is the current topic in agricultural field. The potential benefits of organics in terms of long term sustainability of soil health are well documented in various crops, agro- eco regions, soil types, crop growing situations globally. The nano fertilizers may have beneficial effects on crop yields ,nutrient use efficiency. How ever, there is a need to study the direct ,residual and cumulative effects of nanos and their crop yield and soil health sustainability on a long term economic basis. The relative economics of nanos vis a vis organics and chemical fertilizers and their integrated systems needs considerable study in sole crops and cropping systems to draw meaningful inferences and pass recommendations to the farming communities.

I do not think nano-fertilizers will be able to completely replace conventional fertilizers in the near future. Still, there are many unanswered questions. To me the most important dilemma is how nano-fertilizers will be able to supply the required amount of nutrients in harvested grains on a long-term basis. For example, a crop of irrigated wheat or rice removes more than 100 kg N ha-1. From where this much N is going to come year after year when we will be applying only nano-urea.

Yes indeed. Ever rising feedstock cost and fiscal deficit are big setbacks. Some suggest NO obviously. Change always starts with the rejection.

Nice issues you have raised sir , and infact , this is the fact about nutrient removal pattern by such nutrient exhaustive crops . Nano-fertilizers could hardly display any promise atleast in todays scenario. And this scenario becomes still complex , when you consider the menacing multitudes of nutrient deficiencies...

@ Singh, you are absolutely right, you cannot replace 100% chemical fertilizer by nanofertilizer especially for the mobile nutrients like N you have mentioned. But definitely exploitation of reserve nutrients is possible through the introduction of nanofertilizers. Moreover, due to 2-20 times higher nutrient use efficiency, the requirement in case of nanofertilizer may be much less as compared to the chemical fertilizers to get similar yield effect.

J. C. Tarafdar Yes, since nano-fertilizer have huge advantages over the others. The study conducted by Ikhajiagbe et al. (2021) revealed that biosynthesized NPs have the capacity to enhance plant yield. See attachment.

Only when it is supplied at a reasonable price compared to the know fertilizers.

Moreover when presurriesed irrigation methods are applied not to loose portions of such costly substances.

How nutrient use efficiency in crops is calculated for nutrients like N using nano urea as a source?

In my opinion it may not be possible. Nano urea is given as foliar spray and this could not substitute to the nitrogen demand of the crop at germination stage.

I think that the fertilizer given to the root zone will be much more useful. However, nano-fertilizer applications (surface-subsurface drip irrigation) to be made with pressurized irrigation systems should be examined in terms of both fertilizer efficiency and irrigation system efficiency.

Of course, it is better to replace if nano fertilzers are available as it has less impact on soil and water environment.

History said that most of the inventions has been rejected at first. But with the time when it has shown its results, a vice versa condition has been seen. By the launching of Nano Urea, I had arranged a bottle of it and made a trial in rice. At first few days it looked that it is not working like commercial fertilizers but after few days we observed a better result in comparison to urea that had been broadcasted in some part of the same field. So, I can say that it will absolutely reduce the cost of cultivation and will also help in efficient use of Nitrogen. I accept, urea can not be replaced at once but it will happen with time. Marginal and small farmers of this country has always accept the new technologies but after observing the results of others.

@Tarkeswar Kannaujiya please complete your full trial and give us your result.

No!

I don't think so! before the long run side effects of recent Nano-fertilizers is proven it will be hard to apply them although chemical fertilizers have side effect too

Nano-fertilizers have been shown to boost nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity through a process of controlled nutrient release, as well as the activity of microorganisms and plants. Many agro-industries are looking for investors to help them develop nano-fertilizers. However, we will not be able to completely eliminate the usage of chemical fertilizers; however, it is evident that we must move our focus away from traditional chemical fertilizers and towards nano-scale materials.

Yes it is the right time due to the Agricultural land is decreasing day by day due to erosion, environmental pollution, unconscious irrigation and fertilization. In the recent years, Nano fertilizers have begun to be produced to obtain the highest amount and quality of production from the unit area. Nanofertilizers promote growth and reduce environmental pollution. Excessive use of conventional fertilizers causes environmental pollution by leaching, denitrification, and volatilization of chemical fertilizers. Nano-fertilizer offers a slow and gradual release of nutrients for a more extended period.