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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
09:03
Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
Published on: October 8, 2016
An overview on dual functional nanoparticles for efficient nutrient delivery and sustainable environment
M Ajitha1, Subash C B Gopinath2,3, T Theivasanthi1
1Graphene Solutions Laboratory, Department of Physics, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu 626126 India.
3 Biotech
|July 16, 2026
Summary
Nano urea, a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers, enhances plant growth and yield by slowly releasing nitrogen. This nanotechnology minimizes nutrient loss and environmental impact, promoting efficient agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Conventional urea fertilizer faces significant nitrogen loss and reduced efficiency due to chemical transformations in soil.
- Nanoparticles exhibit unique properties, including a high surface area to volume ratio, leading to enhanced material performance.
- Sustainable agriculture aims to meet food and textile needs while protecting the environment without harmful chemicals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the synthesis, properties, and applications of nano urea technology for sustainable agriculture.
- To explore the agronomic and environmental benefits of nano urea compared to conventional urea.
- To discuss the limitations and future research directions for nano-enabled nitrogen fertilizers.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on nano urea synthesis and characterization.
- Analysis of studies on the mechanisms of nitrogen delivery and nutrient uptake by plants.
- Evaluation of agronomic data on crop yield, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic activity.
- Assessment of environmental implications, including nutrient loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil/water contamination.
Main Results:
- Nano urea coating enhances nitrogen fertilizer efficiency and micronutrient delivery, enabling slow release of nitrogen.
- This controlled release improves plant uptake, even under stress conditions like drought and salinity.
- Nano urea promotes plant growth, increases chlorophyll and photosynthetic activity, and enhances grain yield while minimizing nutrient losses.
- Incorporation within nanoparticles (e.g., zinc oxide, chitosan) improves fertilizer integrity and responsiveness for sustained release.
Conclusions:
- Nano urea is a sustainable alternative to conventional nitrogen fertilizers, improving crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency.
- The technology offers significant environmental benefits by reducing nutrient losses, greenhouse gas emissions, and contamination.
- Further research is needed to optimize nano-enabled nitrogen fertilizers for broader application in sustainable agriculture.
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