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The Nano DAP Experiment Shows a Drop in Wheat Production
Scientists at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) did a study to see how well nano diammonium phosphate (DAP) works compared to traditional nitrogen fertilizers. They found that nanoDAP may not be as good especially when it comes to growing wheat. This brings up concerns similar to those raised earlier about another nano fertilizer called nano urea.
Key Findings of the Study
Wheat Yield Decline: According to the study, there was a 16.1% drop in wheat grain yield when farmers employed nano DAP instead of normal DAP. This occurred when the standard amount of phosphorus from traditional DAP was omitted and only two sprays of nanoDAP were utilized.
Plant Growth Affected: The study also found that plants didn’t grow as tall when nano DAP was used. The average plant height using nano DAP was 78.63 cm which was somewhat lower than the height using standard DAP of 79.53 cm.
Composition of Nano DAP
The government says that nanoDAP contains 8% nitrogen and 16% phosphorus. They advertise it as an alternative to a 50 kg bag of conventional DAP. However the study showed that using nanoDAP did not provide the same benefits as traditional DAP.
Research Methodology
The scientists tested different ways of using fertilizers:
Using only traditional DAP
Using only nano DAP
Combining traditional DAP with nano DAP (like using 50% or 75% of the recommended dose of traditional DAP along with one or two sprays of nano DAP)
Nutrient Uptake Comparison
Plants took up fewer nutrients when only nanoDAP was used.
With two sprays of nanoDAP the plants absorbed 17.58 kg/ha of nitrogen and phosphorus.
With traditional DAP plants absorbed 26.60 kg/ha of these nutrients.
What Is the Government’s Fertilizer Strategy?
After urea DAP is the fertilizer that is utilized the most in India.The government wants to:
Reduce the amount of fertilizer India imports.
Lower the cost of fertilizer subsidies
Promote the efficient use of fertilizers.
India uses about 10–12.5 million metric tons of DAP each year but local production can’t meet all the demand.
The effectiveness of nanoDAP and similar nanofertilizers is still unclear. The study raises doubts about whether these products can truly support sustainable agriculture and food security. To completely comprehend their influence on crop development and soil health more investigation is required.
UN calls for urgent action on rising sea levels
During his visit to Tonga, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres brought attention to the grave global issue of increasing sea levels. During his speech at the Pacific Islands Forum he emphasized the threats that rising sea levels pose particularly to low-lying countries like Tonga.
Understanding Rising Sea Levels
Rising sea levels mean that the ocean water is getting higher over time. Climate change is mostly to blame for this occurring more quickly than it has in the past. Tonga is situated in the Pacific area which is seeing some of the highest sea level rises globally with some locations having rates more than twice as high as the average. This is primarily due to two factors:
Warmer Oceans: Warmer ocean water expands and absorbs more volume.
Melting Ice: As ice sheets and glaciers in regions like Greenland and Antarctica melt more water enters the oceans.
How Does This Affect Coastal Communities?
Communities that are close to the seaside suffer from rising sea levels in a number of ways including:
Increased Storm Surges: Storms have the power to force greater ocean waves ashore, severely flooding the area.
Coastal Flooding: Higher sea levels mean that coastal areas are more likely to flood even without storms.
Saltwater Intrusion: It can be difficult for people to obtain safe drinking water when saltwater seeps into freshwater systems. In weaker areas, these issues endanger people’s homes, means of subsistence and the environment.
Guterres’ Call for Global Action
World leaders have been asked by Guterres to move immediately to address this issue. He highlighted four crucial steps:
Cut back on greenhouse gas emissions: These are the gases that cause climate change and global warming.
Eliminate Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil are significant contributors of greenhouse emissions.
Invest in renewable energy since it doesn’t emit greenhouse gases such as wind and solar power.
Adapt to Climate Change: Communities must get ready for the repercussions of climate change because some of its effects are inevitable.
He stressed that we must limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst consequences such as the collapse of major ice sheets which could cause even more rapid sea level rise.
Focus on G20 Countries
The Secretary-General pointed out that the G20 nations which include the world’s largest economies are responsible for 80% of global emissions. According to him it will be hard to maintain global warming within safe bounds without large reductions in emissions from these nations which might result in a disastrous rise above two degrees Celsius. Additionally Guterres stressed the need for increased financial assistance for nations most impacted by rising sea levels, such as Tonga. To assist these countries adjust to the changes and develop resilience against their effects in the future this support is essential.
Nitin Gadkari presents solar-powered tricycles for disadvantaged folks
Solar-powered tricycles were recently unveiled by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at a significant event hosted by the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ). These tricycles are intended to assist those with impairments by providing them with an alternative environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
What is AMTZ?
The location of the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) is Visakhapatnam. The goal of this organization is to progress medical technology in India. AMTZ collaborates with a range of partners to provide healthcare solutions that are sustainable and inclusive which means they are made to benefit both people and the environment.
Collaboration with CRC
In association with the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) located in Nagpur, the event was arranged. Through the provision of various assistive technologies—tools or gadgets that make daily chores easier for those with physical challenges—the CRC focuses on helping people with disabilities.
Solar-Powered Tricycles
The solar-powered tricycles that were introduced draw their electricity from the sun in order to run.This makes them an eco-friendly option because they don’t rely on traditional fuel which can be harmful to the environment. These tricycles are made with affordability and increased flexibility and mobility in mind.
Benefits of the Initiative
This program is significant because it encourages environmentally friendly transportation which lessens its detrimental effects. It also makes places more accessible for individuals with disabilities facilitating their freedom of movement. By guaranteeing that those with impairments have same opportunities as others this enhances the feeling of inclusion. The government’s commitment to “inclusive innovation” or developing new technologies that benefit everyone including those with impairments, was highlighted by Nitin Gadkari. Dr. Jitendra Sharma of AMTZ emphasized how these tricycles may improve the accessibility and mobility of individuals with disabilities thereby transforming their lives.
The introduction of solar-powered tricycles is a big step in the direction of building an inclusive and sustainable society in India.It demonstrates the country’s growing ability to use technology for the greater good especially in terms of helping those who are disabled.
Research Indicates Microplastics Predominate in Indian Personal Care Items
A study conducted at Cochin University under the direction of Riya K. Alex has raised awareness about the existence of microplastics in personal care products (PCPs) particularly polyethylene (PE).The study highlights concerns about the effects of these tiny plastic particles on the environment and human health particularly in a fast-growing market like India.
What Are Microplastics?
Small plastic particles less than five millimeters—roughly the size of a sesame seed—are referred to as microplastics. Microbeads, which are even smaller and range in size from 1 to 1,000 micrometers (about the thickness of a human hair) are one type of microplastic. Products for personal hygiene such as scrubs and face washes frequently contain microbeads.
Key Findings from the Study
Samples Analyzed: The study looked at 45 different personal care products from 2022, including face washes, scrubs, shower gels and body scrubs.
Types of Microbeads: About 23.33% of the products contained microbeads made from cellulose a material whose ability to break down naturally is still uncertain.
Appearance of Microbeads: The microbeads were mostly white, making them harder to see and detect.
Materials Used: Polyethylene (PE) was used to make more than half of the microbeads.Other materials found included polypropylene and polyester.
Microbead Content: On average microbeads made up 1.34% of the total weight of the products but this amount varied depending on the type of product.
Microbeads in Personal Care Products
Additionally the study listed the precise concentrations of microbeads present in several products:
Face Wash: About 0.26 grams of microbeads in every 30 grams of product.
Face Scrub: For every 30 grams of product, there are roughly 0.90 grams of microbeads.
Body Scrub: About 1.24 grams of microbeads in every 30 grams of product.
Shower Gel: About 1.74 grams of microbeads in every 30 grams of product.
The largest microbeads, averaging between 606.30 and 640.74 micrometers were found in shower gels. These microbeads had irregular shapes which could make them more harmful to the environment.
Environmental Impact of Microbeads
Because they have the potential to contaminate the environment and infiltrate the food chain microbeads constitute a serious environmental risk. They pose a greater risk to aquatic life and ecosystems because of their asymmetrical geometries which increase their propensity to absorb toxic contaminants. Concerns over “greenwashing” or the practice of marketing goods as “natural” “organic” or “eco-friendly” yet with substantial plastic content, were also brought up by the study. It’s possible that many Indian consumers are unaware of the contents lists on products, which lets businesses take advantage of their ignorance.
The Regulatory Landscape
Although the use of microbeads has been outlawed in certain nations it is still unclear what India’s laws are regarding them. The study estimates that by 2030 microbead pollution in India may have significantly increased due to rising consumer spending power. Microplastics can be found in many commonplace objects such as food items like sugar and salt and even in human tissues. They are not limited to personal care products. This widespread presence of microplastics raises serious public health concerns.