Can Nano-sulphur be a Game Changer for Oilseed Crops? A Case Study from TERI

To achieve edible oil self-sufficiency by 2030, India must boost oilseed productivity. However, declining soil sulphur levels―due to modern farming-are hindering yields, as oilseeds need high sulphur for oil synthesis and seed development. Nanofertilizers like nano-sulphur improve nutrient use, support plant growth, and reduce environmental harm. Replacing 25-50 per cent of traditional fertilizers with nanofertilizers yields results equal to or better than using 100 per cent conventional inputs. TERI has developed nanosulphur using a unique biogenic method, highlight Suneeti Singh, Palash K Manna, Alka Pandey, Maharaj Singh, Rajesh Narayan, Arvind Kapur, and Pushplata Singh.

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The productivity of oilseeds (rapeseed and mustard) need to increase from 20.50 to 25.60 q/ha by the end of 2030 in order to attain self-sufficiency in edible oil.1 In comparison to other crops, oilseeds require higher amount of sulphur due to its role in synthesis of oil as well as the growth of grains/seeds. Sulphur is an important constituent of plant proteins, amino acids, and enzymes. Studies have shown that available soil sulphur levels are exhausting rapidly in India owing to modern agricultural practices, including multiple cropping per year, high-yielding crop varieties, erratic use of fertilizers, and inadequate application of organic manure.

Soil is considered deficient in sulphur if the amount is less than 10 mg S/kg soil.2 In a study carried out by The Sulphur Institute, Fertilizer Association of India and International fertilizer association (TSA-FAI-IFA) from 1997 to 2006, sulphur deficiencies were found to be a critical problem in 40-45 per cent of districts in India translating into 57-64 million ha of net sown area, which has deteriorated further in the past 20 years.3 A major reason of sulphur deficiency is the fertilizer-use-pattern dominated by sulphur-free fertilizers: urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP), and sulphur-free NP/NPK complex fertilizers. This not only excludes the addition of sulphur but accentuates its depletion through the crop produced with NPK.