Nano potash (foliar) in paddy

Nano potash is a foliar nano-formulated potassium fertiliser developed by IFFCO and notified under the FCO nano-fertiliser amendment. It is sold in a 500 ml bottle and is positioned as a partial replacement for granular Muriate Of Potash (MOP) at panicle emergence in paddy and similar crops.

Composition

Developer: IFFCO Nano Biotechnology Research Centre
Form: 500 ml liquid foliar concentrate
Regulatory class: FCO nano-fertiliser amendment (2021)
Application route: foliar spray only; not a soil-applied substitute for bulk K

The product is one of a sequence of IFFCO nano formulations following Nano Urea, with similar packaging, distribution and price positioning.

Mode of action

The marketing claim is that nano-scale potassium particles cross the leaf cuticle and stomata efficiently and are translocated directly to sink tissues, delivering useful K with much smaller absolute applied mass than conventional MOP. As with nano urea, independent peer-reviewed validation of large-scale yield benefits is limited; trial data are administered through ICAR multi-location networks and the Department of Fertilizers.

Target use and dose

In paddy, recommended application is 500 ml to 1 litre per acre as a foliar spray around panicle emergence, replacing part of the conventional MOP top-dressing schedule. The marketed claim is that one 500 ml bottle delivers a useful K equivalence to a portion of a 50 kg bag of granular MOP, though the precise equivalence is contested. Like other foliar inputs, application is in early morning or late evening to maximise leaf uptake.

Safety and regulatory status

Notified under the FCO nano-fertiliser amendment. Non-toxic at field rates. Storage requires shaking before use and keeping the bottle away from direct sunlight and freezing temperatures.

References

IFFCO Nano Urea Liquid Fertilizer (Nano Product Range). Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative.
Nano Fertilizer Information. IFFCO Nano Fertilizers portal.