Context:

The finance minister in the Interim Budget 2024-25 has announced the expansion of the application of Nano DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) as a fertilizer on various crops in all agro-climatic zones.

Background:

If Russia were to develop and deploy such a weapon, it would be in violation of Outer Space Treaty as well as the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963 that prohibits nuclear explosions in space. Russia is party to both treaties.

About DAP:

1. DAP is the second most commonly used fertilizer in India after urea.
2. DAP is a preferred fertilizer in India because it contains both nitrogen and phosphorus which are primary macro-nutrients and part of 18 essential plant nutrients.
3. Fertilizer grade DAP contains 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus. It is manufactured by reacting ammonia with phosphoric acid under controlled conditions in fertilizer plants.

What is Nano DAP?

1. Nano DAP is a specialised form of DAP designed to improve the fertiliser’s effectiveness in promoting plant growth and development.
2. In 2023 Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) launched its Nano DAP, containing 8% Nitrogen and 16% Phosphorus by volume.
3. Unlike conventional DAP, which comes in granular form, IFFCO’s Nano DAP is in liquid form.