Success Story of NutriCapsules: An Innovative Breakthrough in Plant Nutrition and Hydration (By Dr. Prashant B Kale)
Background:
A team of visionary biotechnology students from VNGCAB, Yavatmal designed NutriCapsules to revolutionize plant care by offering an eco-friendly and controlled method for delivering nutrients and water to plants. These capsules, engineered for gradual/ sustain water release along with nutrients vitamins plant growth regulators. This minimize the risk of abiotic stress, ensuring plants receive optimal nutrition and hydration. The solution not only enhances plants resilience but also reduced water wastage, marking a significant advancement for sustainable agriculture.
The innovative product has shown impressive results in lab trials, contributing to healthier, faster-growing plants while conserving resources.
Key Highlights:
- Controlled Release: Capsules slowly release water and nutrients to support plant growth consistently.
- Eco-friendly: Reduces the need for excessive watering, minimizing environmental impact.
- Field Success: Applied in various agricultural trials with remarkable improvement in plant health and yield.
- Innovation by Students: Created by the students of the Biotechnology department, demonstrating the application of academic research to real-world problems.
Here’s a detailed procedure for preparing NutriCapsules:
- Preparation of CaCl₂ Solution: Dissolve calcium chloride (CaCl₂) in water to make a 0.1 M solution.
- Alginate-Nutrient Mixture: Prepare sodium alginate solution by adding water and chosen plant nutrients. Adjust nutrient amounts based on plant requirements. Stir until it becomes a thick, uniform solution.
- Capsule Formation: Dip an ice cube into the alginate solution 2-3 times, coating it evenly.
- Calcium Gelation: Immediately transfer the coated ice cube into the CaCl₂ solution for 5-10 minutes. The alginate will react with Ca²⁺ ions, forming a solid outer layer.
- Capsule Quality Check: Inspect the NutriCapsules. Ensure nutrients are not leaking; if they are, discard the faulty capsules.
- Final Check: Test capsules for controlled release and consistency before application.
Relevance to climate resilience:
India faces increasing challenges from climate change, including erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and water scarcity, all of which threaten traditional farming and gardening practices. Climate-resilient plants that are water- and nutrient-use efficient are essential for sustainable agriculture in these conditions. These plants are better equipped to handle extreme weather, reduce dependency on limited water resources, and optimize nutrient uptake, thereby promoting growth in resource-poor environments. Developing such plants is crucial to ensuring food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable horticulture in India’s ever-changing climate.
NutriCapsules can significantly enhance home gardening by:
- Controlled Watering: Ensures a consistent and slow release of water, reducing the risk of over- or under-watering plants.
- Nutrient Efficiency: Provides plants with a steady supply of essential nutrients, reducing the need for frequent fertilization.
- Water Conservation: Ideal for water-scarce regions, as it minimizes water wastage.
- Reduced Stress on Plants: Prevents abiotic stress, promoting healthy plant growth.
- Low Maintenance: Simplifies gardening, making it easier for hobbyists to maintain healthy plants with minimal effort.
