Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Aniket Girigoud, Anand Naik, Siddaram, Bhat SN and Bellakki MA

Abstract:
Phosphorus (P) is one of the three major nutrients required in crop nutrition, the other two being nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). Phosphorus plays many vital roles in crop growth and is referred to by many as the “king-pin” in Indian agriculture. Soluble P in the soil, whether it comes from apatite, fertilizer, manure or organic matter, will form compounds with Ca, iron (Fe), aluminium (AI) and manganese (Mn) and will bond with the reactive surfaces of certain clay minerals in soil reduce availability of P to plants because P is reverted or changed to fixed forms. Nanoscience coupled with nanotechnology emerged as possible cost-cutting approach to prodigal farming and environmental clean-up operations. Hence there is a need for a more innovative fertilizer approach that can increase the productivity of agricultural systems and more environmental friendly than synthetic fertilizers. Foliar nutrition is aimed to eliminate the problems of fixation and immobilization of nutrients. Hence, foliar nutrition is being recognized as a significant way of fertilizing modern agriculture, especially under rainfed conditions. Nano fertilizers because of smaller size and higher surface area are efficient as compared to conventional and produce better results when used in combined form.