Wed Dec 24 14:12:10 UTC 2025: News Article:
TNAU Secures Patent for Innovative Drone-Sprayable Liquid Fertilizer
Coimbatore, December 24, 2025 – Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore has been granted a patent for its novel liquid fertilizer designed for efficient drone application. The patent, awarded by the Controller of Patents, Government of India, covers a “Water-in-Water Pickering Emulsion Based Nano Complex Foliar Fertilizer and Preparation Method Thereof.”
The innovative fertilizer was developed by researcher D. Pradesh, under the supervision of professors K.S. Subramanian and S. Marimuthu at the Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology. The development addressed challenges associated with existing liquid nitrogen fertilizers used in drone spraying, such as spray drift, low efficiency, and inadequate nitrogen levels in crops, particularly in the face of increasing labor shortages.
TNAU’s solution utilizes the Pickering emulsion technique to encapsulate nutrients within silica nanoparticles cross-linked with polyethylene glycol. This process significantly increases the nitrogen content of the fertilizer to between 32-36%. The resulting product boasts higher density and improved stability, facilitating precise nutrient delivery while minimizing drift during drone application. This groundbreaking innovation promises to enhance agricultural efficiency and resource management.
First Piper 