Technology Overview

Micronutrients are critically important for plant growth in agriculture as micronutrient deficiency leads to a great loss of crop yield. This largely depends on the ability of plants to respond to and retain micronutrients but the delivery of micronutrient to plants has always been very limited due to low plant uptake efficiency. This technology aims to substantially increase plant uptake efficiency by encapsulating micronutrients in nanomaterials that serve as .

A nanofertilizer is generated by utilising encapsulated nutrients with materials derived from biomass such as food waste, agriculture waste and aquaculture waste. The technology has been validated by research studies that uptake efficiency of micronutrients increased up to 3 to 4 times in comparison to conventional micronutrient fertilizers. At their corresponding optimal dosages, the supplemented amount of nanofertilizer (in terms of micronutrient ingredient) is as low as a quarter of that of conventional fertilizers, while the yield of biomass/plants supplemented with nano fertilizer is also higher.

This nano-carrier platform technology is environmentally friendly, sustainable, non-toxic, and cost-effective. Production of such nanofertilizer is scalable and high yield, which makes its widespread application highly promising for efficient delivery of various plant required nutrients.

Technology Features, Specifications and Advantages

The technology consists of micronutrient encapsulated in a nano-carrier made from biomass, food waste, agriculture waste, plastic waste, etc. The derived nano-fertilizer is water soluble, biocompatible and biodegradable.

Other features of the nano-fertilizer include :

• Production scalability and cost effective - can be derived from waste streams
• Efficient plant uptake - 3 to 4 times more efficient in nutrient delivery than conventional fertilizer
• Increases crop yield - 30% biomass increase was achieved in a study
• Sustainable with reduced environmental footprint - much lower dosage (up to 4 times less) required to achieve the same growth
• Platform technology applicable for encapsulation of various micronutrients and/or macronutrients.

Potential Applications

The nano-carrier technology has promising potential in delivery of plant required nutrients, pesticides, etc. It can also be further extended to

Applications include (but are not limited to) :

• Delivery of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, etc)
• Delivery of macronutrients (Ca, Mg, etc)
• Delivery of macronutrients and micronutrients
• Delivery of pesticides
• For agriculture and horticulture including urban farming

Customer Benefit

• Nano-carrier platform technology – a potential game changer
• Increased crop yield
• Reduced chemical usage
• Reduced cost
• Reduced environmental footprint
• Ease of implementation