Traditional farming practices and agricultural output are under increasing strain as the world's population grows. Some of the main challenges faced by the global agricultural sector are stagnant crop yield, declining soil organic matter, low nutrient use efficiency, and water availability. In the current farming approach, several new and innovative strategies are applied to enhance plant growth that can offer sufficient food to meet the global demand. 

Nitrogen is one of the most important elements that is crucial to plant growth. Agricultural scientists are making several efforts to increase N-use efficiency in the plant. The lack of N-use efficiency is limiting agricultural production all over the world. The N-use efficiency of conventional fertilizer is not more than 40-50%. Farmers are using more and more fertilizers to achieve their target crop yield. This overuse of nitrogen can lead to an increased amount of ammonia and greenhouse gases in the air. This is an alarming economic and environmental concern related to mass crop production.

Coming to the Rescue: Nano Fertilizer

Nanofertilizer is an agrochemical engineered product that is being tested for foliar or ground application. Soil scientists are hopeful of increasing N-use efficiency through the application of nano fertilizers to various crop species. The results are very promising and may solve the problem of the overuse of nitrogen fertilizers. It is also called "smart fertilizer," as it is environmentally friendly and an excellent alternative to traditional fertilizer.

Studies show that nanomaterials have a good impact on the plant's height, germination rate, and root development.

The benefits of nano fertilizers cannot be questioned as they are opening a path of recovery for the damage done to the environment. The use of nanotechnology is crucial for sustainable agriculture in the future.

Advantages of Nano Fertilizers

• They are more efficient at using the mineral resources of the plant.

• In comparison to traditional fertilizers, nano fertilizers require only a small amount to achieve the desired crop yield. This is highly efficient as less energy is required for production, transportation, and application.

• There is less wastage of fertilizer as plants uptake it for the development of plant tissues, branches, and other functions. It limits atmospheric emissions to a great extent. There are fewer chances of air pollution, runoff, or leaching of fertilizer into the ground or sea.

• High nitrogen use efficiency is bringing a revolution in the agricultural sector as it solves the problems of stagnant plant growth and low nutrient absorption. This is also beneficial for the climate and sustainable agricultural practices.

• Some of the nano fertilizers, like polymer-coated fertilizers, avoid premature contact with soil and water, which ensures the controlled release of nutrients.

• These fertilizers are highly soluble, which allows them to diffuse more easily into the soil and benefit the plant.

The application of nano fertilizers along with other organic matter has the potential to reduce environmental and economic problems due to its various benefits. Less amount of fertilizer requirement leads to cost-cutting in crop production. High absorption rates and less nitrogen loss help in solving the environmental problem. Overall, it is a carbon-neutral farming approach that will lead the future market.

However, there is limited availability of nano-fertilizers in the market. The improved results of these materials will bring a change in the near future. Nano fertilizer suppliers are marketing this product as a mainstream fertilizer choice to increase its demand in the market. Slowly but steadily, the world will acknowledge the potential of this fertilizer that will change the landscape of agriculture.