IIT Mandi Develops Biodegradable Polymeric Microgels for Eco-Friendly Agriculture

IIT Mandi researchers have made a major advancement in sustainable agriculture by creating natural polymer-based smart microgels with multiple functions. Know details here 

The research team at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has made a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture by creating natural polymer-based multifunctional smart microgels. These microgels are designed to gradually release nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers over an extended period, offering a hopeful solution to improve crop nutrition while reducing environmental harm.

These findings pave the way for sustainable agriculture, offering a promising solution to optimize nutrient supply, enhance crop yields, and mitigate environmental challenges associated with traditional fertilizers. The findings of this comprehensive research have been published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces by the American Chemical Society. 

The research work was led by Dr Garima Agrawal along with her team including Ms Ankita Dhiman, Mr Piyush Thaper and Ms Dimpy Bhardwaj from the School of Chemical Sciences, IIT Mandi. The research was funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India and the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. 

Biodegradable Polymeric Microgels for Sustainable Agriculture

Explaining the motive of the study, Dr. Garima Agrawal, Assistant Professor, School of Chemical Sciences, IIT Mandi, said, “We have developed natural polymer-based multifunctional smart microgels for the slow release of urea over a longer period. These microgels also act as a potential source of phosphorus for plants and are cost effective, biodegradable and environment friendly.”

Further Dr. Agrawal added, “The microgel formulation is eco-friendly and biodegradable, as it is made with natural polymers. It can be applied by mixing it into the soil or by spraying it on plant leaves. Recent studies with maize plants have shown that our formulation greatly improves maize seed germination and overall plant growth compared to pure urea fertilizer. This sustained release of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers helps crops thrive while cutting down on fertilizer use.”

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