National Training Course On Application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture
March 10 – March 19, 2014
Organized by
Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) Jodhpur
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Jodhpur-342 003, Rajasthan, India
Sponsored by
National Agricultural Innovation Project (Component IV)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan-II
New Delhi – 110 012
Introduction
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic or a molecular scale that deals with particle sizes between 1 and 100 nanometer at least in one dimension. This frontier area of technology has the potential to revolutionize the agricultural and food industry with new tools for the molecular treatment of diseases, rapid disease detection, enhancing the ability of plants to absorb nutrients etc. Materials reduced to the nanoscale show some properties which are different from what they exhibit on a microscale, enabling unique systemic applications. The interesting and sometimes unexpected properties of nanoparticles are broadly due to the large surface area of the material, which dominates the contributions made by the very small quantities of the material. Nanoparticles, thus, take advantage of their dramatically increased surface area to volume ratio.
Agriculture is the backbone of the developing countries, with more than 60% of their population relying for their livelihood on this sector. The intense problems confronting productivity in agriculture, such as several abiotic and biotic stress factors, require more precise and effective solutions; and products with higher efficacy are further required to mitigate the stress. Nanotechnology can improve our understanding and also deliver better products. It can contribute to the development of improved systems for monitoring environmental conditions and delivering nutrients or appropriate pesticides and thus potentially enhance yields or nutritional values. Thus, nanotechnology can be an important part of the future agriculture, food systems and industry. Training and research in nanotechnology, therefore, have very high relevance and importance.
CAZRI is presently engaged in a sub-project under NAIP on “Nano-technology for Enhanced Utilization of Native - Phosphorus by Plants and Higher Moisture Retention in Arid Soils”. NAIP (ICAR) also aims at developing capacity to train human resource in various fields of agricultural research including nanotechnology, and this national training is being organised as a part of such endeavour. CAZRI has facilities for biosynthesis of nanoparticle, their characterization and related facilities for response studies, and is well equipped with latest state of art instruments like i.e. Particle Size Analyzer, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, Sonicator, Ultracentrifuge, and Biosafety Cabinet etc. The institute shall offer a unique opportunity for the participants to expose themselves in the field of nanoscience in relation to agriculture.
Objectives- This training will mainly focus on:
1. Acquaintance with fundamentals of nanotechnology
2. Physical, chemical, biological and aerosol synthesis, and characterization of metal nanoparticles
3. Development of nanoparticle induced polysaccharide powder and its characterization
4. Application of nanoparticles in agriculture and allied sectors
5. Nano approach to mitigate chronic agricultural problems
Curriculum- A series of lectures and practical demonstrations will cover the basics of nanotechnology, synthesis of nanoparticle, characterization and application, nano induced microbial polysaccharide and their applications in various fields, ethical issues and related aspects.
BROCHURE : http://www.cazri.res.in/NTC_ll.pdf
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