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Nano Fertilizers

 

What is nano technology?

Nano technology in the scientific sense means one billionth, one nano is equivalent to one billionth of a meter. In the range of one nanometer, only 10 atoms are placed together. Production and engineering design of structures and materials that have shape and size on the nano scale, which includes the approximate range of 1 to 100 nanometers; It causes the emergence of new properties and applications, and therefore they become important. The importance of nano dimensions is that the smaller a substance becomes, the number of atoms that are placed on the surface increases, and as a result, the ratio of the surface to the volume of the substance increases. This issue increases the reactivity, the possibility of controlling the intrinsic properties of the material, increasing the intensity of the effects of quantum mechanics, and increasing the contact surface of the material with the surrounding elements.

What is nano?

The use of nano fertilizers

Nanotechnology in agriculture leads to new achievements such as obtaining nanomaterials with new properties, molecular treatment of plant and animal diseases, rapid tracking of pests and increasing the ability of plants to absorb nutrients and better and more complete absorption of fertilizer compounds in plant tissues from the applications of this Technology in agricultural sciences.
According to global statistics, the use of heavy-duty chemical fertilizers and excessive use is increasing and increases the possibility of destroying the environment. Therefore, attention should be paid to fertilizers with high efficiency and low consumption. Due to the fact that chemical fertilizers play an essential role in increasing the production of agricultural products all over the world, excessive and unprincipled consumption of chemical fertilizers causes restrictions on nutrition and pollution of soil and water sources. Therefore, the use of nano-fertilizers in order to control and optimize the release of nutrients can be an effective step towards achieving sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. Nano-fertilizers are used for gradual or targeted release of food in plants.
In general, the use of nano-fertilizers as a growth stimulant leads to an increase in the efficiency of the consumption of nutrients, a reduction in toxicity, an optimal use of fertilizers and a reduction in the number of times of fertilization, preservation of useful soil microorganisms and proper growth of plants.

The application of nanofertilizers

Classification of nano fertilizers

Different categories are considered for nano fertilizers, but according to the products produced and widely used, the following classification can be stated for making nano fertilizers:


A. Nanoscale Fertilizer
B. Common fertilizers with nanoscale additives
C. Common fertilizers with nanoscale coating


Different types of nanoparticles are used in agriculture and fertilizer production, which can be mentioned; Nanoclusters, Nanocomposites, Nanoparticles, Nanocrystals, Nanotubes and Nanopowders.
In the methods of making nano fertilizers, generally using chemical synthesis or special mechanical crushing; Food elements are produced in a pure form, such as nano zinc oxide or nano iron oxide, or nano additives are added to common fertilizers and used in its compounds, or the fertilizer compounds are brought to nano dimensions and improve the changes in properties. In some methods, by coating common fertilizers, they create a new application such as controlled release.

fertilizer nanoparticles
SEM image of the fertilizer
nano fertilizer
SEM image of nanoparticles in fertilizer

absorption of nanofertilizers in plants

According to the researches, the nanoparticles in the fertilizers are absorbed on the surface of the plants and are absorbed by the plant through the pores of the plant, whose diameter is in the range of micrometers and nanometers. Nanoparticles can enter the plant from different routes and the amount and speed of their absorption depends on the size, shape, concentration and surface charge. The nanoparticles that are delivered to the plant by the solution spraying method easily interact with the aerial parts of the plant and this interaction is done through the leaves. Therefore, the blue pores of the leaves play an important role in the absorption of nanoparticles in the foliar spraying method. Due to having a size larger than 10 nanometers, porous channels have a high capacity to absorb food elements and the transfer speed is high in them. However, due to the behavioral complexities of plant physiology; The path of penetration and absorption of nanoparticles is unpredictable in some cases. But generally, the nanoparticles that penetrate into the leaves pass through the cell walls of the parenchyma, reach the water vessel and are transferred to other parts of the plant.
Metal nanoparticles on the surface of the soil and in the form of irrigation fertilizer can also enter the plant as an ion; In the absorption process, nanoparticles interact with the plant's root system, and their absorption on the surface of the plant's roots facilitates their attachment to the cell wall and also the absorption of these nanoparticles into the cell. Therefore, nanoparticles can enter the wood vessel and other parts of the plant at the place of formation of lateral roots.

Advantages of nano fertilizers
  • Increasing the solubility and dispersion of nutrients in soil and plants
    effective in germination
  • Maximum and more complete absorption of nutrients
  • Increasing the mobility of nutrients and spending less energy by the plant to absorb them
  • Non-stabilization of elements in the soil
  • Targeted delivery or controlled and continuous release of nutrients
  • Faster performance and higher efficiency of fertilizer
  • Environmentally friendly and reduce pollution
  • Optimal use of fertilizers in agriculture
 

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