FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13) “A FERTILIZER COMPOSITION”
Applicant name and Address:
NATURAL PLANT PROTECTION LIMITED
Upl Ltd, Uniphos House, Madhu Park, C.D.Marg, Khar W, Mumbai 400052, India Nationality: IN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of the invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of agricultural compositions, particularly fertilizer compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to an agricultural composition comprising a nutrient particle, preferably a plant nutrient, and a size reducing agent comprising one or more plant extracts. The present invention also relates to the methods of preparing the agricultural compositions and methods of using the same.
Background
Nitrogen (N) is a paramount element for plants since it is a core component of many plant structures such as chlorophyll which are responsible for photosynthesis. Plants are required to manufacture complex molecules through metabolism activities to survive by use of minerals from the soil that contain nitrogen such as nitrate ions. The wellness of plant parts (leaves, roots, trunks etc.) depends on the availability nitrogen to enhance the plant's biological processes including growth, absorption, transportation, and excretion. Nitrogen is an essential element of all the amino acids in plant structures which are the building blocks of plant proteins, important in the growth and development of vital plant tissues and cells like the cell membranes and chlorophyll. Nitrogen is a component of nucleic acid that forms DNA a genetic material significant in the transfer of certain crop traits and characteristics that aid in plant survival. It also helps hold the genetic code in the plant nucleus.
Nitrogen can only be fixed and made available to plants through biological and chemical nitrogen fixation such as from nitrogen fertilizers and also through atmospheric nitrogen addition. Nitrogen comes in different forms: Ammonium, Nitrate and Urea. Nitrogen in the form of nitrate nitrogen is the most abundant with easy uptake.
NPK fertilizers are most commonly used to promote plant growth and yields. Most fertilizers also present leaching and runoff problems, thus, starting a chain reaction of nitrogen unavailability, undue excess fertilizer application and runoffs.
Nitrogen can become unavailable to plants primarily because of rapid nitrification followed by leaching in wet soils, or by washout because of heavy rainfall. This important means of nitrogen loss is by nitrate leaching. Leaching occurs when the water-soluble nitrate ion moves through the soil as water percolates downward beyond the reach of plant roots.
Another important means of nitrogen loss is through rapid denitrification. Compacted wet soils contain little oxygen and denitrifying bacteria that are active under anaerobic conditions

remove the oxygen from the nitrogenous products of nitrification of ammonia, such as nitrite ions and nitrate ions for their own use, releasing N2 and/or N2O back to the atmosphere.
One of the problems with nitrogen loss from chemical fertilizers or organic nitrogen containing fertilizers are that fast release high nitrogen fertilizers such as ammonium salts, nitrates, or urea are water soluble and are quickly assimilated by various enzymes and nitrifying bacteria, and denitrifying bacteria resulting in loss of nitrogen by nitrate leaching to aquifers, by wash outs as surface run-off due to heavy rains, or by quick release of nitrogen containing gases or greenhouse gases.
Phosphorus (P) promotes early root growth, winter hardiness, and seed formation, stimulates tillering, and increases water use efficiency. Phosphorus (P) is part of the nuclei acid structure of plants which is responsible for the regulation of protein synthesis. Phosphorus plays a major role in the growth of new tissue and division of cells. Plants perform complex energy transmissions, a function that requires phosphorus. Phosphorus is crucial for the ATP component. ATP is formed during photosynthesis and contains phosphorus as part of its structure. ATP is present in the plants from growth until maturity as they need it to process nutrition for their development. Plants use ATP for photosynthesis, storage and transfer of energy, respiration among various other functions. Phosphorus is a vital component of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. The structures of both DNA and RNA are linked by phosphorus. Without enough supply of phosphorus, plants are unable to complete their production cycle as expected. As a result, phosphate fertilizers or NPK fertilizers are applied to boost yield and plant growth.
Mineral phosphorus fertilizers support high crop yields and contribute to feeding the teeming global population. Despite large reserves of phosphorus in soil, only a small soluble fraction is available for plant uptake. This is due to complex edaphic processes and interactions with soil components such as iron and aluminum hydroxides in acidic soils, and calcium in alkaline soils. In addition, humidity, and the presence of clay particles also cause phosphorus to be immobilized in soil, hampering its timely and sufficient availability for uptake by plants. Much of the phosphorus applied to soil as mineral fertilizers or organic manure is bound to soil, creating a pool of residual phosphorus, or is lost via leaching, runoff, and/or erosion and may reach waterbodies, contributing to eutrophication. The resultant low use efficiency of current water-soluble phosphorus fertilizers creates significant environmental and human health problems. Excess phosphorus in surface waters causes toxic algal blooms and hypoxic

conditions that are detrimental to aquatic life in inland water bodies and ultimately contribute to dead coastal zones.
Potassium (K) plays an important role in regulating cell osmotic pressure and balancing the cations and anions in the cytoplasm of plant cells. It's involved with enzyme activation within the plant, which affects protein, starch and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The production of ATP can regulate the rate of photosynthesis. K is involved in the regulation of stomatal opening and closing, cell elongation, and other important physiological processes. K fertilizers are applied to soils as deficiency in absorption of this nutrient is detrimental to plat growth and yield. However, K is very soluble and so can be leached to depth or to surface waters. Also, because K is bound to clays and organic materials, and adsorbed K is mostly associated with fine soil particles, it can be eroded with particulate material in runoff water and by strong winds. It can also be lost when crop residues are burned in the open. Losses represent a potential economic cost to farmers and reduce soil nutritional status for plant growth.
However, persistent, and excessive application of NPK fertilizers beyond crops' demand has resulted in undesirable consequences of degradation in soil, water, and air quality. These include soil acidification, N PK leaching in groundwater, and emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Additionally, current practices to increase N, P, K use efficiency have been inadequate to curtail these problems.
Nanoparticle compositions comprising plant growth promoters such as nitrogen and/or phosphorus when used as fertilizers offer benefits in nutrition management through their strong potential to increase nutrient use efficiency. Nutrients in nanoparticle compositions release nutrients very slowly as compared to conventional fertilizers. This approach not only increases nutrient-use efficiency, but also minimizes nutrient leaching into ground water. The application of nano-fertilizers is a valuable alternative approach in agriculture due to its potential for reducing the application of mineral nitrogen fertilizers and increasing yield quality and quantity, thereby helping to reduce the worldwide food shortage. However, preparing stable nanoparticle compositions is a challenge and most present processes and products exhibit limited or no stability, such as pH stability. Also, with only synthetic chemical nanoparticle compositions being available for use, it does not mitigate the risk to the environment to a large extent as chemical exposure is continued.
Thus, there is an unsolved and pressing need for compositions of nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, with particle size in the

nanoparticle range, wherein the composition has sustained-release properties and minimal loss of nutrients with maximum bioavailability. There is a need for compositions of nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, which can be readily absorbed by the plants and result in minimal or no wastage of nutrients from the composition. There is a need for compositions of nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, with harmless and natural ingredients which present no threat to the plant or environment and magnify the beneficial properties for the plants and the ecosystems. There also lies a need for efficient processes to prepare said compositions which possess the above-mentioned properties. There is an unmet need for stable compositions of nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof and processes to prepare them. There is a need in the art to identify green synthesis process to prepare the said compositions.
Thus, it is an object of the invention of the present disclosure to provide a composition comprising nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, with natural or harmless ingredients. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a stable composition comprising nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, with particle size in the nanoparticle range and a process to prepare the same. It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a method of making a composition comprising nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, with particle size in the nanoparticle range by green synthesis. It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a method of making a composition comprising nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, with particle size in the nanoparticle range by using plant extracts. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a stable composition comprising nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, which has environment friendly and plant beneficial components. It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a sustained-release composition comprising nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, which is readily and maximally absorbed by the plant. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a composition comprising nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof, which leads to increased plant growth, nitrogen and/or phosphorus assimilation in plants and improves plant health, quality, and yield. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a biofertilizer

composition comprising nutrient particles comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, or combinations thereof.
Summary
An aspect of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising a nutrient particle comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or a combination thereof, wherein said composition is produced using a plant extract as a size reducing agent. In an embodiment, said nutrient particle in the composition has a particle size in the nanoparticle range. In an embodiment, the size of said nutrient particle in the composition ranges from about 1 nm to about 5000 nm, more specifically about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.
A further aspect of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of preparing an agricultural composition, said method comprising:
A. providing a raw material form of a nutrient particle;
B. mixing a size reducing agent with the raw material form of said nutrient particle,
wherein the size reducing agent is a plant extract; and

C. adding a stabilizer to the mixture of step B to stabilize the composition thus obtained.
A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of preparing an agricultural composition, said method comprising:
A. providing a raw material form of a nutrient particle;
B. mixing a size reducing agent with the raw material form of said nutrient particle,
wherein the size reducing agent is a plant extract; and
C. adding a stabilizer and a weak acid to the mixture of step B to stabilize the composition
thus obtained.
In an embodiment, said composition is a nanoparticle composition. In an embodiment, said composition is a nanoparticle fertilizer composition. In an embodiment, said composition is a biofertilizer.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of growth stimulation in a plant or a part thereof, wherein the method comprises applying to the plant, a part thereof, or a locus a composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of improving plant health and yield comprising applying an agricultural composition to a plant or a part thereof, or a locus, said composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a use of an agricultural composition as a fertilizer, said composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and

c) a stabilizer. In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 shows particle size distribution of urea raw material particles analyzed by DLS technology.
Figure 2 shows DLS particle size distribution of urea particles on treatment of urea raw material with plant extracts.
Figure 3 shows particle size distribution of urea particles in the final composition analyzed by DLS technology.
Figure 4A shows particle size of a urea particle in the final composition as analyzed by TEM.
Figure 4B shows particle size of a urea particle in the final composition as analyzed by TEM.
Figure 4C shows particle size of a urea particle in the final composition as analyzed by TEM.
Figure 4D shows particle size of a urea particle in the final composition as analyzed by TEM.
Figure 5 shows particle size distribution of diammonium phosphate raw material particles analyzed by DLS technology.
Figure 6 shows DLS particle size distribution of diammonium phosphate particles on treatment of diammonium phosphate raw material with plant extracts.
Figure 7 shows particle size distribution of diammonium phosphate particles in the final composition analyzed by DLS technology.
Figure 8A shows particle size of a diammonium phosphate particle in the final composition as analyzed by TEM.
Figure 8B shows particle size of a diammonium phosphate particle in the final composition as analyzed by TEM.
Figure 8C shows particle size of a diammonium phosphate particle in the final composition as analyzed by TEM.

Figure 8D shows particle size of a diammonium phosphate particle in the final composition as analyzed by TEM.
Detailed description
For the purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of materials/ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about".
As used herein, the term "about" refers to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like and is meant to include variations of +/-10% or less, specifically variations of +/-5% or less, more specifically variations of +/-1% or less, and even more specifically variations of +/-0.1% or less of and from the particularly recited value, in so far as such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosure described herein. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is itself specifically disclosed herein.
Recitation of ranges of values are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The endpoints of all ranges are included within the range and independently combinable. As used herein, all numerical values or numerical ranges include integers within such ranges and fractions of the values or the integers within ranges unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a range of 90-100%, includes 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 95%, 97%, etc., as well as 91.1%, 91.2%, 91.3%, 91.4%, 91.5%, etc., 92.1%, 92.2%, 92.3%, 92.4%, 92.5%, etc., and so forth. All methods described herein can be performed in a suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Thus, before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified process parameters or composition that may of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in

any manner. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.
As used herein, the terms “comprising” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.
The term “particle” as used herein refers to any compound, molecule, atom, ion of any constituent, substance, composition, mixture, or components thereof used, applied or employed in the context of the present disclosure. Said term encompasses any liquid or solid forms and can refer to standalone molecules; atoms; ions such as anions, cations, Zwitterions; complexes; composites; conjugates; chelates; encapsulated forms; microcrystalline forms, etc. The term “nutrient particle” refers to a particle defined herein comprising a plant growth promoting nutrient such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or combinations thereof. The particle may be an organic particle, an inorganic particle, or a complex of both. The term also refers to a complex comprising atleast one particle comprising a nitrogen atom, a phosphorus atom, a potassium atom, or combinations thereof. The term “a nutrient particle” encompasses a plurality of nutrient particles or a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles.
The term “nanoparticle” refers to an ultrafine particle having a nanometric size ranging between 0.1 nm to 5000 nm, including values and ranges thereof, such as 1-1000 nm, 10-1000 nm, 30-1000 nm, 30-900 nm, 30-800 nm, 30-750 nm, 100-1000 nm, 100-900 nm, and the like.. The term also covers sustained release structures comprising nutrients/ingredients encapsulated by films or held in nanopores within a carrier material such as clays. The term also refers to the term “nanofertilizer” defined as materials in the nanometer scale, usually in the form of nanoparticles, containing macro and micronutrient, plant nutrient particles that are delivered to crops in a controlled mode. In the scope of this invention, “nanofertilizer” refers to nanoparticle

which can be applied to a plant to benefit or support the plant growth, plant health, yield, vigor, disease resistance, productivity, and nutrient assimilation. The term also refers to a composition having one or more nanoparticle ingredients or a composition wherein the particle size of the resulting composites formed by mixing various ingredients, nutrients of the composition is in nanometric scale ranging between 0.1 nm to 5000 nm, preferably in the range of 1-1000 nm. The term encompasses following three types: 1) nanoscale fertilizer, which corresponds to the conventional fertilizer reduced in size typically in the form of nanoparticles; 2) nanoscale additive fertilizer, which is a traditional fertilizer containing a supplement nanomaterial; and 3) nanoscale coating fertilizer, refers to nutrients encapsulated by nanofilms or intercalated into nanoscale pores of a host material.
The term “weak acid” as used herein refers to any material having a pH range of 3 to 6. It also refers to acids which do not completely dissociate in the solution.
The term “Banana” or “banana” as used herein refers to an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa and family Musaceae. The term is used synonymously with the term “plantain”. The term covers wild types, cultivars, variants, hybrids, and genetically modified versions of species belonging to the genus Musa. The term banana extract refers to an extract of the entire banana plant or a part thereof. The extract may be derived from the whole plant including roots, bulbs, rhizomes, leaves, stems, buds, flowers, flower reproductive organs, seeds, fruits, peel/skin, and so forth. The term may refer to an extract of a particular plant part or parts listed herein.
The term “Lotus” or “lotus” as used herein refers to an extant species of aquatic plant in the family Nelumbonaceae. The term is synonymous with the names Nelumbo spp, Nelumbo nucifera, sacred lotus, Laxmi lotus, Indian lotus, water lily, or simply lotus. The term covers wild types, variants, hybrids, and genetically modified versions of species belonging to the genus Nelumbo. The term “lotus extract” refers to an extract of the entire lotus plant or a part thereof. The extract may be derived from the whole plant including roots, bulbs, rhizomes, leaves, stems, buds, flowers, flower reproductive organs, seeds, fruits, and so forth. The term may refer to an extract of a particular plant part or parts listed herein. The term “lotus leaf extract” refers to an extract of one or more leaves of lotus. It may also include an extract of the stem with which the leaf is attached.

The term “seed” as used herein embraces seeds and plant propagules of all kinds including but not limited to true seeds, seed pieces, suckers, corms, bulbs, fruit, tubers, grains, cuttings, cut shoots and the like.
The term “seed treatment” as used herein comprises all suitable seed treatment techniques known in the art, such as seed dressing, seed coating, seed dusting, seed soaking and seed pelleting.
The term “locus” as used herein shall denote the vicinity of the target plant or a part thereof in which growth stimulation is desired. The locus includes the vicinity of the target plant or a part thereof which has either emerged or is yet to emerge. The term “target plant” shall include a multitude of desired crop plants or an individual crop plant growing at a locus. The said locus includes the area, medium and soil where the target plant or a part thereof grows. For simplicity of reference, the target plant is referred synonymously as “plant” in the context of the present disclosure.
The term “raw material form” as used herein refers to untreated and/or commercially procured form of a nutrient/plant nutrient comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or a combination thereof.
The term “growth stimulation” as used herein refers to any improvement in plant health, phenotypic or genotypic characteristics of a plant; visible beneficial changes in a plant; improvement in plant stress and disease tolerance and resistance and improvement in yield and quality of produce. The term also refers to initiation or acceleration of growth of the plant or a part thereof. Non-limiting examples of changes or improvement effected by the combinations and compositions of the present invention include: Improved plant nutrient use efficiency; Enhanced root and shoot growth; Improved reproductive heat stress tolerance; Improved drought tolerance; Improved pollen tube growth; Enhanced pollen viability; Increased fertilization and fruit set; Increased floral inflorescence primordia; Increased number of buds, pods and yield; Improved and strong root mass and architecture; Improved/increased bud development; Accelerated shoot or bud emergence; Enhanced vigor/uniformity of emergence; Improved and increased branching; Improved/increased diameter and strength; Improved/increased inter-node length; Increase in number of yield structures (ears, fruits etc); Increase in leaf area; Increased amount of chlorophyll, greening; Increased photosynthesis activity; Increase in CO2 fixation; Accelerated and improved flowering; Improvement in

pollination; Enhanced fruit set & retention; Improvement in cell division for size and quality potential; Improvement in fruit finish; Freedom from pest such as fungal pests, viruses, bacteria, weeds, insects, nematodes; Enhanced resistance against pest such as fungal pests, viruses, bacteria, weeds, insects, nematodes; Increased plant weight; Increased plant height; Increased biomass such as higher overall fresh weight; Higher grain yield; More tillers; Larger leaves; Increased shoot growth; Increased protein content; Increased oil content; Increased starch content; Increased pigment content; Increased plant vigor; Improved vitality of the plant; Improved plant growth; Improved plant development; Improved visual appearance of the plant or a part thereof; Improved plant stand (less plant verse/lodging); Improved emergence; Enhanced nodulation, in particular rhizobial nodulation; Bigger leaf blade; Increased yield when grown on poor soils or unfavorable climate; Enhanced pigment content (e.g. Chlorophyll content); Earlier flowering; Earlier fruiting; Earlier and improved germination; Earlier grain maturity; Improved self-defence mechanisms; Improved stress tolerance and resistance of the plants against biotic and abiotic stress factors such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, insects, heat stress, cold stress, drought stress, UV stress and/or salt stress; Less non-productive tillers; Less dead basal leaves; Less input needed (such as fertilizers or water); Greener leaves; Complete maturation under shortened vegetation periods; Less fertilizers needed; Less seeds needed; Easier harvesting; Faster and more uniform ripening; Longer shelf-life; Longer panicles; Delay of senescence; Stronger and/or more productive tillers; Better extractability of ingredients; Improved quality of seeds (for being seeded in the following seasons for seed production); Reduced production of ethylene and/or the inhibition of its reception by the plant; Increased nutrient content; Increased content of fatty acids; Increased metabolite content; Increased carotenoid content; Increased sugar content; Increased amount of essential amino acids Improved nutrient composition; Improved protein composition; Improved composition of fatty acids; Improved metabolite composition; Improved carotenoid composition; Improved sugar composition; Improved amino acids composition; Improved or optimal fruit color; Improved leaf color; Higher storage capacity; and/or Higher processability of the harvested products.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
In an embodiment, the nutrient particle comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or combinations thereof. Said combinations may comprise a particle comprising a compound or a molecule comprising nitrogen and/or phosphorus and/or potassium or plurality of compounds or molecules comprising nitrogen and/or phosphorus and/or potassium.
In an embodiment, the nutrient particles or resultant particles of the composition are nanoparticles. In an embodiment, the nutrient particles or the resultant particles of the composition have a particle size in the range of 1 nm to 5000 nm. The resultant particles of the composition are the particles present in the final composition. Such resultant particles may comprise aggregates of any or all components a), b), c), and/or d). Thus, the resultant particles of the final composition may comprise individually of nutrient particle, size reducing agent, stabilizer, weak acid or any combinations thereof. Thus, it can be said that the composition of the present disclosure comprise nutrient particles which may be in form of nanoparticles. Thus, it can also be said that the composition of the present disclosure comprise a plurality of nutrient particles which may be in form of nanoparticles.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.

In an embodiment, the nutrient nanoparticle comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium or combinations thereof. Said combinations may comprise a nanoparticle comprising a compound or a molecule comprising nitrogen and/or phosphorus and/or potassium or plurality of compounds or molecules comprising nitrogen and/or phosphorus and/or potassium. 5
Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles having a size range of about 1 nm to about 5000
nm;
10 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles having a size range of about 1 nm to about 5000 15 nm;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
In an embodiment, the particle size of resultant particles or nutrient particles present in the
20 composition ranges from about 1 nm to about 5,000 nm. In an embodiment, the particle size of
resultant particles or nutrient particles present in the composition ranges from about 1 nm to
about 4,000 nm. In an embodiment, the particle size of resultant particles or nutrient particles
present in the composition ranges from about 1 nm to about 3,000 nm. In an embodiment, the
particle size of resultant particles or nutrient particles present in the composition ranges from
25 about 1 nm to about 2,000 nm. In an embodiment, the particle size of resultant particles or
nutrient particles present in the composition ranges from about 1 nm to about 1,000 nm. In a
preferred embodiment, the particle size of resultant particles or nutrient particles present in the
composition ranges from about 1 nm to about 1,000 nm. In a preferred embodiment, the particle
size of resultant particles or nutrient particles present in the composition ranges from about 30
30 nm to about 1,000 nm. In a preferred embodiment, the particle size of resultant particles or
nutrient particles present in the composition ranges from about 30 nm to about 900 nm. In a
15

preferred embodiment, the particle size of resultant particles or nutrient particles present in the composition ranges from about 100 nm to about 1,000 nm.
In an embodiment, the nutrient particle comprises nitrogen. In an embodiment, the nitrogen-containing nutrient particle is a nitrogen-containing plant nutrient or a nitrogen-containing 5 fertilizer such as those selected from the group consisting of urea (carbamide), ammonium compounds, ammonium fertilizer, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), cyanamide, guanidine nitrate, dicyandiamide (DCD), guanyl urea sulphate, thiourea, urea formaldehyde polymer, amino acids, amines, amino alcohols, amides, lactams, nitro compounds, imines, nitriles, diazonium salts, hydrazides, carbazides, oximes, alkyl nitrates, nitrosamines, nitroarenes, 10 peroxyacyl nitrates and heterocyclic compounds such as imidazole, triazole, and tetrazole and salts or derivatives thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the nutrient particle comprising nitrogen/nitrogen-containing plant nutrient/ nitrogen-containing fertilizer is urea or salts or derivatives thereof. Examples of derivatives of urea include, but not limited to, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)urea; N-(2-
15 hydroxypropyl)urea; N-(3-hydroxypropyl)urea; N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)urea; N-(2,3,4,5,6-
pentahydroxyhexyl)urea; N-methyl-N-(1,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxy-2-hexyl)urea; N-methyl-N′-
(1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-propyl)urea; N-(1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-propyl)urea; N-(1,3-
dihydroxy-2-propyl)urea; N-(trishydroxymethylmethyl)urea; N-ethyl-N′-(2-
hydroxyethyl)urea; N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)urea; N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)urea; N,N-bis(2-
20 hydroxypropyl)-urea; N,N′-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)urea; N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-N′-
propylurea; N,N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-N′-(2-hydroxyethyl) urea; N-tert-butyl-N′-(2-
hydroxyethyl)-N′-(2-hydroxypropyl)urea; N-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propyl)-N′-(2-
hydroxyethyl)urea; N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-N′,N′-dimethylurea; N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)urea; N′,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-N′,N′-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)urea, and mixtures
25 thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the nutrient particle comprising nitrogen/nitrogen-containing plant nutrient/ nitrogen-containing fertilizer is an ammonium fertilizer selected from ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, urea ammonium nitrate, anhydrous ammonia, aqueous ammonia, and combinations thereof.
30 In an embodiment, the nutrient particle comprises nitrogen and phosphorus and is also referred to herein as nitrogen and phosphorous-containing plant nutrient or a nitrogen and phosphorous-containing fertilizer. In a preferred embodiment, the nutrient particle comprising a combination
16

of nitrogen and phosphorus is an inorganic ammonium salt selected from ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and combinations thereof.
In yet another embodiment, the nutrient particle comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
5 or a combination thereof is a nitrogen and/or phosphorus and/or potassium containing waste
fertilizer, for example, manure or animal excreta, protein mixtures, green manure, fish products, crop residues and other natural materials known to be sources of N or ammonium ions, P or phosphate ions, K or potassium ions, and or various combinations of the foregoing.
In an embodiment, the nutrient particle comprises potassium. In an embodiment, the potassium-
10 containing nutrient particle is a potassium-containing plant nutrient or a potassium-containing
fertilizer. In an embodiment, the nutrient particle comprising potassium/potassium-containing
plant nutrient/ potassium-containing fertilizer is potash.
In an embodiment, the size reducing agent means a particle size reducing agent.
In an embodiment, the size reducing agent is a plant extract which acts as a solubilizing agent.
15 In an embodiment, the plant extract belongs to an angiosperm plant or a part thereof. Preferably,
in an embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of a plant or a part of plant, wherein the plant is selected from Nelumbonaceae, Musaceae, Rutaceae, Brassicaceae, Moringaceae, Poaceae, Piperaceae, Asphodelaceae, Fabaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Solanaceae, Anacardiaceae, Myrtaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, and combinations thereof. More preferably, in an embodiment, the
20 plant extract is an extract of a plant, or a part of plant selected from the group consisting of
genera Nelumbo, Musa, Moringa, Citrus, Brassica, Avena, Cymbopogon, Piper, Tamarindus, Aloe, Phyllanthus, Capsicum, Zea, Mangifera, Solanum, Eucalyptus, Syzygium, Psidium, Elaeocarpus, and combinations thereof. Even more preferably, in an embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of plant, or a part of a plant selected from the group consisting of lotus,
25 banana, moringa, lemon, lime, mustard, oats, betel vine, tamarind, aloe vera, Indian gooseberry
(amla), maize, mango, chili, tomato, guava, jamun, plum, rudraksh, eucalyptus, grasses such as lemon grass, and combinations thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of lotus, or a part thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a lotus leaf extract.
30 In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of banana, or a part thereof.
Preferably, the plant extract is a banana leaf extract.
17

In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of betel vine, or a part thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a betel vine leaf extract.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of moringa, or a part thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a moringa leaf extract.
5 In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of eucalyptus, or a part thereof.
Preferably, the plant extract is a eucalyptus leaf extract.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of mango, or a part thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a mango leaf extract.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of chili, or a part thereof. Preferably,
10 the plant extract is a chili leaf extract.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of tomato, or a part thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a tomato leaf extract.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of maize, or a part thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a maize leaf extract.
15 In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of gooseberry (amla), or a part thereof.
Preferably, the plant extract is a gooseberry fruit extract.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of guava, or a part thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a guava leaf extract.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of jamun, or a part thereof. Preferably,
20 the plant extract is a jamun leaf extract.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of rudraksh, or a part thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a rudraksh leaf extract.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is a combination of banana extract or banana leaf
extract and plant extract or leaf extracts of lotus, moringa, lemon, lime, mustard, oats, betel
25 vine, tamarind, aloe vera, Indian gooseberry (amla), maize, mango, chili, tomato, guava, jamun,
plum, rudraksh, eucalyptus, grasses such as lemon grass.
In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of lotus and banana, or parts thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a combination of lotus leaf extract and banana leaf extract.
18

In a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is an extract of betel vine, moringa and banana, or parts thereof. Preferably, the plant extract is a combination of betel vine leaf extract, moringa leaf extract and banana leaf extract.
In an embodiment, the stabilizer may act as pH balancing agent, a chelating agent, a
5 solubilizing agent, an encapsulating agent, or an anti-flocculant.
In an embodiment, the stabilizer is a polycation polymer selected from polyamidoamine,
polyethylenimine, mannosylated polyethylenimine, chitosan, chitosan derivatives,
poly(allylamine), poly(l-lysine), poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride), and
poly(allylamine hydrochloride); or combinations thereof. Preferably, the stabilizer is chitosan.
10 In an embodiment, a weak acid has a pH range of 3 to 6. In an embodiment, the weak acid is
selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, carbonic acid, and salts or derivatives thereof. In an embodiment, the weak acid is a combination of one or more weak acids or salts or derivatives thereof.
In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises at least one weak acid.
15 In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises at least two weak acids.
In a preferred embodiment, the weak acid is citric acid.
In a preferred embodiment, the weak acid is malic acid.
In a preferred embodiment, the weak acid is malic acid, citric acid, or combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the composition further comprises one or more additional stabilizing agents
20 selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an amino acid or an extract comprising an amino
acid, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the additional stabilizing agent may be selected from a humic substance such as fulvic acid, humic acid, or combinations thereof; an amino acid, or extracts comprising an amino acid such as microbial extracts, vegetable extracts; or combinations thereof.
25 In an embodiment, the additional stabilizing agent is an amino acid. In an embodiment, the
amino acid may be an L-amino acid, or derivatives thereof. In an embodiment, the amino acid or L-amino acid is selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, aspartic acid, alanine, tryptophan, proline, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, threonine, glutamic acid, tyrosine, serine, glutamine, phenylalanine, cysteine, valine, asparagine, arginine, sarcosine, L-lysine, L-glycine,
30 L-aspartic acid, L-alanine, L-tryptophan, L-proline, L-isoleucine, L-histidine, L-leucine, L-
19

threonine, L-glutamic acid, L-tyrosine, L-serine, L-glutamine, L-phenylalanine, L-cysteine, L-
valine, L-asparagine, L-arginine, L-sarcosine, and combinations thereof. In a preferred
embodiment, the amino acid or L-amino acid is methionine or L-methionine. In another
preferred embodiment, the amino acid or L-amino acid is a combination of one or more amino
5 acids or L-amino acids selected from lysine, glycine, aspartic acid, alanine, tryptophan, proline,
isoleucine, histidine, leucine, threonine, glutamic acid, tyrosine, serine, glutamine,
phenylalanine, cysteine, valine, asparagine, arginine, sarcosine, L-lysine, L-glycine, L-aspartic
acid, L-alanine, L-tryptophan, L-proline, L-isoleucine, L-histidine, L-leucine, L-threonine, L-
glutamic acid, L-tyrosine, L-serine, L-glutamine, L-phenylalanine, L-cysteine, L-valine, L-
10 asparagine, L-arginine, L-sarcosine. In an embodiment, the amino acid or L-amino acid is
derived from a synthetic source or a natural source. In an embodiment, the amino acid or L-
amino acid is derived from microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or acid hydrolysis of a
cereal such as soy, cereals, quinoa, or the likes.
In an embodiment, the additional stabilizing agent is an extract comprising an amino acid. In
15 an embodiment, the extract comprising an amino acid is a microbial extract. In an embodiment,
the microbial extract is an extract of a microorganism selected from bacteria, fungi or
combinations thereof. The microbial extract may be a cell-free extract, such as a supernatant
of cell lysate or fermentation media without microorganisms. The microbial extract may be
live cells or fermentation media comprising microorganisms. In an embodiment, the microbial
20 extract comprises a Bacillus species or an extract of a Bacillus species. In an embodiment, the
microbial extract comprises a Pseudomonas species or an extract of a Pseudomonas species.
In a preferred embodiment, the microbial extract is a yeast extract. Yeast extract may or may
not comprise live cells or cell debris. Yeast extract comprises amino acids, particularly sulfur-
containing amino acids such as methionine and cysteine. In an embodiment, the yeast is
25 selected from the genera Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Hanseniaspora, Metschnikowia,
Pichia, Starmerella, Torulaspora, Brettanomyces, Lachancea, Schizosaccharomyces or Candida.
In an embodiment, the additional stabilizing agent is an extract comprising an amino acid. In
an embodiment, the extract comprising an amino acid is a vegetable extract. The vegetable
30 extract may be an extract of leguminous plants, cereals, soy, quinoa, or the likes.
In an embodiment, the additional stabilizing agent is a humic substance such as humic acid, fulvic acid, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the humic substance is fulvic acid. Preferably,
20

the humic substance is humic acid. Preferably, the humic substance is fulvic acid and humic acid.
In an embodiment, the sugar is any or a combination of monosaccharides, disaccharides,
oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, polymers, derivatives thereof. In an embodiment, the sugar
5 is selected from cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose, chitooligosaccharides, dextran, starch,
alginate, karragenans, hyaluronic acid, derivatives, and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the agricultural compositions of the present disclosure further comprise an agrochemically suitable excipient.
In an embodiment, the composition further comprises an agrochemically suitable excipient.
10 The agrochemically suitable excipient may be any one or a combination of adjuvants, co-
solvents, surfactants, colorants, dispersants, emulsifiers, thickeners, antifreeze agents, anti-foam agents, wetting agents, solvents, preservatives, pH regulator, or a mixture thereof which may be optionally added to the compositions of the present disclosure.
In an embodiment, the surfactants may be selected from non-ionic, anionic or cationic
15 surfactants.
Examples of nonionic surfactants include polyarylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyalkylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyglycol ether derivatives of saturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic alcohols, polyglycol ether derivatives of cycloaliphatic alcohols, fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene
20 sorbitan, alkoxylated vegetable oils, alkoxylated acetylenic diols, polyalkoxylated
alkylphenols, fatty acid alkoxylates, sorbitan alkoxylates, polyoxyethylene sorbitol, sorbitol esters, polysorbate, C8-C22 alkyl or alkenyl polyglycosides, polyalkoxy styrylaryl ethers, alkylamine oxides, block copolymer ethers, polyalkoxylated fatty glyceride, polyalkylene glycol ethers, linear aliphatic or aromatic polyesters, organo silicones, polyaryl phenols,
25 sorbitol ester alkoxylates, polyalkylene oxide block copolymers, acrylic copolymers and mono-
and diesters of ethylene glycol and mixtures thereof.
Examples of anionic surfactants include alcohol sulfates, alcohol ether sulfates, alkylaryl ether
sulfates, alkylaryl sulfonates such as alkylbenzene sulfonates and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates
and salts thereof, alkyl sulfonates, mono- or di-phosphate esters of polyalkoxylated alkyl
30 alcohols or alkylphenols , mono- or di-sulfosuccinate esters of C12-C15 alkanols or
polyalkoxylated C12-C15 alkanols, alcohol ether carboxylates, phenolic ether carboxylates,
21

polybasic acid esters of ethoxylated polyoxyalkylene glycols consisting of oxybutylene or the
residue of tetrahydrofuran, sulfoalkylamides and salts thereof such as N-methyl-N-
oleoyltaurate Na salt, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenol carboxylates, polyoxyalkylene alcohol
carboxylates alkyl polyglycoside/alkenyl succinic anhydride condensation products, alkyl ester
5 sulfates, napthalene sulfonates, naphthalene formaldehyde condensates, alkyl sulfonamides,
sulfonated aliphatic polyesters, sulfate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates, and sulfonate esters
of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and their corresponding sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium,
zinc, ammonium, alkylammonium, diethanolammonium, or triethanolammonium salts, salts of
ligninsulfonic acid such as the sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium or ammonium salt,
10 polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether sulfates and polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether phosphates, and
sulfated alkyl phenol ethoxylates and phosphated alkyl phenol ethoxylates.
Cationic surfactants include alkanol amides of C8-C18 fatty acids and C8-C18 fatty amine
polyalkoxylates, C10-C18 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides, coconut
alkyldimethylaminoacetic acids, and phosphate esters of C8-C18 fatty amine polyalkoxylates.
15 In another embodiment, antifreeze agent(s) added to the composition may be alcohols selected
from the group comprising of but not limited to ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, trimethylol propane, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A
20 or the like. In addition, ether alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene glycols of molecular weight up to about 4000, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, triethylene glycol monomethylether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol monobutylether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol,
25 hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol, octaglycerol.
In an embodiment, the preservative is selected from 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one; dipropylene
glycol solution of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one; 2-Methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one; sodium
benzoate; potassium benzoate; benzoic acid; sorbic acid; potassium sorbate; sodium sulphite;
potassium sulphite; sodium bisulphite; potassium bisulphite; sodium metabisulphite;
30 potassium metabisulphite; sodium methylparaben; citric acid or salts thereof; malic acid or salts
thereof; tartaric acid or salts thereof; and propionic acid or salts thereof.
22

In anembodiment, the pH regulator may be selected from alkaline or acidic pH regulators. The pH regulator may be selected from acids or alkali solutions. In an embodiment, the alkali solution is sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide.
Thus, in an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition
5 comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a polycation polymer as the stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
10 Thus, in an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition
comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer; and
15 d) a weak acid.
In an embodiment, the stabilizer and weak acid together may perform stabilizing action on the particles of the composition. Thus, in an embodiment, the polycation polymer and weak acid together may perform stabilizing action on the particles of the composition.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
20 a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer;
d) a weak acid; and
e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an
25 amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer;
30 d) a weak acid;
23

e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof; and
f) an agrochemically suitable excipient.
In an embodiment, the nutrient particle is present in the agricultural composition in the form
5 of a nanoparticle. In an embodiment, the nutrient particle is present in the agricultural
composition in the form of a nanoparticle having a size in the range of about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
10 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a polycation polymer.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles having a size in the range of about 1 nm to about
5000 nm;
15 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a polycation polymer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
20 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer; and
d) a weak acid.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles having a size in the range of about 1 nm to about
25 5000 nm;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer; and
d) a weak acid.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
24

a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer;
d) a weak acid; and
5 e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an
amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles having a size in the range of about 1 nm to about
5000 nm;
10 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer;
d) a weak acid; and
e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof.
15 In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer;
d) a weak acid;
20 e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an
amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof; and
f) an agrochemically suitable excipient.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles having a size in the range of about 1 nm to about
25 5000 nm;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer;
d) a weak acid;
e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an
30 amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof; and
f) an agrochemically suitable excipient.
25

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) Urea or derivatives thereof;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer;
5 d) a weak acid;
e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof; and
f) an agrochemically suitable excipient.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
10 a) Urea or derivatives thereof;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract selected from lotus extract, banana extract or a combination thereof;
c) chitosan;
d) a weak acid;
15 e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an
amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof; and f) an agrochemically suitable excipient.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) Urea or derivatives thereof;
20 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract selected from lotus extract, banana
extract or a combination thereof;
c) chitosan;
d) citric acid, malic acid or a combination thereof;
e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from carboxymethyl cellulose, yeast
25 extract, or combinations thereof; and
f) an agrochemically suitable excipient.
In an embodiment, urea or derivatives thereof are present in the agricultural composition in the
form of a nanoparticle. In an embodiment, urea or derivatives thereof are present in the
agricultural composition in the form of a nanoparticle having a size in the range of about 1 nm
30 to about 1000 nm.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
26

a) Diammonium phosphate;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a polycation polymer;
d) a weak acid;
5 e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an
amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof; and
f) an agrochemically suitable excipient.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) Diammonium phosphate;
10 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract selected from betel vine extract,
moringa extract, banana extract or a combination thereof;
c) chitosan;
d) a weak acid;
e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an
15 amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof; and
f) an agrochemically suitable excipient.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising:
a) Diammonium phosphate;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract selected from betel vine extract,
20 moringa extract, banana extract or a combination thereof;
c) chitosan;
d) citric acid, malic acid or a combination thereof;
e) one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from fulvic acid, amino acid extract, or combinations thereof; and
25 f) an agrochemically suitable excipient.
In an embodiment, diammonium phosphate is present in the agricultural composition in the form of a nanoparticle. In an embodiment, diammonium phosphate is present in the agricultural composition in the form of a nanoparticle having a size in the range of about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.
30 In an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure are nanofertilizer compositions.
In an embodiment, said compositions are controlled release nanofertilizers. In an embodiment,
27

the particle size of said composition ranges from about 1 nm to about 5,000 nm, preferably in the range of about 1 nm to about 1000 nm, about 30 nm to about 1000 nm, or about 100 nm to about 1000 nm.
In an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure are stable compositions, more
5 particularly stable nanofertilizer compositions. In an embodiment, the particle size of said
composition ranges from about 1 nm to about 5,000 nm, preferably in the range of about 1 nm to about 1000 nm, about 30 nm to about 1000 nm, or about 100 nm to about 1000 nm.
The compositions as disclosed in the present disclosure may be present in solid or liquid form.
The compositions may be in form a solid, such as dusts, granules, water dispersible granules,
10 dry flowables, powders, pellets, tablets, microcapsules, micro-complexes, and so forth. The
compositions may be in form a liquid, such as a suspension concentrate, an emulsion, an oil dispersion, an emulsifiable concentrate, and so forth. The composition may be in form of a semi-solid, such as a gel, a paste, a cream, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is a liquid composition.
15 In an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure have a pH in the range of about
4 to 6. It was observed that the composition ingredients and process were instrumental in producing a composition with said pH range and thus resulting in a stable, efficient composition. The pH of the composition plays an important role in the product stability, storage and efficacy.
20 In an embodiment, the composition comprises the nutrient particle or the nutrient nanoparticle
in an amount ranging from about 1% w/w to about 60 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises said nutrient particle or said nutrient nanoparticle in an amount ranging from about 1% w/w to about 50 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises said nutrient particle
25 or said nutrient nanoparticle in an amount ranging from about 1% w/w to about 40 % w/w of
the total weight of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises said nutrient particle or said nutrient nanoparticle in an amount ranging from about 5% w/w to about 40 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, said nutrient particle or said nutrient nanoparticle is selected from urea or derivatives thereof, or
30 diammonium phosphate.
In an embodiment, the composition comprises the nutrient particle or the nutrient nanoparticle in an amount ranging from about 1% w/v to about 60 % w/v of the total volume of the
28

composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises said nutrient particle or said
nutrient nanoparticle in an amount ranging from about 1% w/v to about 50 % w/v of the total
volume of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises said nutrient
particle or said nutrient nanoparticle in an amount ranging from about 1% w/v to about 40 %
5 w/v of the total volume of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, said nutrient particle
or said nutrient nanoparticle in an amount ranging from about 5% w/v to about 40 % w/v of the total volume of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, said nutrient particle or said nutrient nanoparticle is selected from urea or derivatives thereof, diammonium phosphate, or potash.
10 In an embodiment, the nitrogen content in the nutrient particle or the nutrient nanoparticle
comprising nitrogen, or a combination of nitrogen and phosphorus ranges from about 5% w/w to about 85% w/w of the total weight of the compound.
In an embodiment, the nitrogen content in the nutrient particle or the nutrient nanoparticle
comprising nitrogen, or a combination of nitrogen and phosphorus, ranges from about 5% w/v
15 to about 85% w/v of the total volume of the compound.
In an embodiment, the phosphorus content in the nutrient particle or the nutrient nanoparticle comprising phosphorus, or a combination of phosphorus and nitrogen ranges from about 5% w/w to about 85% w/w of the total weight of the compound.
In an embodiment, the phosphorus content in the nutrient particle or the nutrient nanoparticle
20 comprising phosphorus, or a combination thereof ranges from about 5% w/v to about 85% w/v
of the total volume of the compound.
In an embodiment, the nitrogen content in the composition of the present disclosure ranges
from about 1 % w/w to about 40 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred
embodiment, the nitrogen content in the composition of the present disclosure is in the range
25 of about 4% w/w to about 6% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
In an embodiment, the nitrogen content in the composition of the present disclosure ranges from about 1 % w/v to about 40 % w/v of the total volume of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the nitrogen content in the composition of the present disclosure is in the range of about 4% w/v to about 6% w/v of the total volume of the composition.
30 In an embodiment, the phosphorus content in the composition of the present disclosure ranges
from about 1 % w/w to about 40 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred
29

embodiment, the nitrogen content in the composition of the present disclosure is in the range of about 4% w/w to about 6% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
In an embodiment, the phosphorus content in the composition of the present disclosure ranges
from about 1 % w/v to about 40 % w/v of the total volume of the composition. In a preferred
5 embodiment, the nitrogen content in the composition of the present disclosure is in the range
of about 4% w/v to about 6% w/v of the total volume of the composition.
In an embodiment, the composition comprises the size reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 5 %w/w to about 90 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises the size reducing agent in an amount ranging from
10 about 10 %w/w to about 85 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment,
the composition comprises the size reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 15 %w/w to about 80 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises the size reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 20 %w/w to about 75 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises the
15 size reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 25 %w/w to about 70 % w/w of the total
weight of the composition.
In an embodiment, the composition comprises the size reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 5 %w/v to about 90 % w/v of the total volume of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises the size reducing agent in an amount ranging from
20 about 10 %w/v to about 85 % w/v of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment,
the composition comprises the size reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 15 %w/v to about 80 % w/v of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises the size reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 20 %w/v to about 75 % w/v of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises the
25 size reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 25 %w/v to about 70 % w/v of the total
weight of the composition.
In an embodiment, the composition comprises the stabilizer in an amount ranging from about
0.001%w/w to about 75% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the
composition comprises the stabilizer in an amount ranging from about 0.001%w/w to about
30 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises
the stabilizer in an amount ranging from about 0.001%w/w to about 50% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
30

In an embodiment, the composition comprises the stabilizer in an amount ranging from about
0.001%w/v to about 75% w/v of the total volume of the composition. In an embodiment, the
composition comprises the stabilizer in an amount ranging from about 0.001%w/v to about
60% w/v of the total volume of the composition. In an embodiment, the composition comprises
5 the stabilizer in an amount ranging from about 0.001%w/v to about 50% w/v of the total volume
of the composition.
In an embodiment, the composition comprises the additional stabilizing agent(s) in an amount ranging from about 0.001%w/w to about 40% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
In an embodiment, the composition comprises the additional stabilizing agent(s) in an amount
10 ranging from about 0.001%w/v to about 40% w/v of the total volume of the composition.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising a nutrient particle or a nutrient nanoparticle, wherein said composition is produced using a plant extract as a size reducing agent. In an embodiment, said agricultural composition is a fertilizer composition.
15 An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of preparing an agricultural
composition, said method comprising:
A. providing a raw material form of nutrient particle;
B. mixing a size reducing agent with said nutrient particle, wherein the size reducing agent
is a plant extract; and
20 C. adding a stabilizer to the mixture of step B to stabilize the composition thus obtained.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of preparing an agricultural composition, said method comprising:
A. providing a raw material form of nutrient particle;
B. mixing a size reducing agent with said nutrient particle, wherein the size reducing agent
25 is a plant extract; and
C. adding a stabilizer and a weak acid to the mixture of step B to stabilize the composition
thus obtained.
In an embodiment, the raw material form of the plant growth promoter may be milled prior to addition of size-reducing agent.
31

In an embodiment, the step of mixing a size reducing agent with said nutrient particle comprises i) mixing the size reducing agent with the nutrient particle to obtain a mixture; ii) subjecting the mixture to a first stirring obtain a homogenous mixture; iii) heating the homogenous mixture to obtain a heated mixture; and iv) subjecting the heated mixture to a second stirring.
5 In an embodiment, the first stirring step is performed at a speed of about 200-600 rpm for about
30 minutes to about 2 hours. For example, the first stirring step is performed at a speed of about 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, or 600 rpm for about 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 1 hour 30 minutes, or about 2 hours to obtain a homogenous heated mixture.
In an embodiment, the homogenous mixture is heated to a temperature of about 30-70°C, such
10 as about 40-60°C, for about 3-8 hours, about 3-6 hours or about 4-6 hours, to obtain a heated
mixture.
In an embodiment, the heated mixture is subjected to a stirring step (second stirring) performed
at a speed of about 200-600 rpm for about 30 minutes to about 5 hours. For example, the second
stirring step is performed at a speed of about 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, or 600
15 rpm for about 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 1 hour 30 minutes, 2 hours, 2.5 hours, 3 hours,
3.5 hours, 4 hours, 4.5 hours, or 5 hours to obtain a homogenous heated mixture.
In an embodiment, the step of adding a stabilizer involves adding the stabilizer to the homogenous heated mixture obtained after second stirring. In an embodiment, the step of adding a stabilizer involves adding a stabilizer or a mixture of the stabilizer and a weak acid.
20 In an embodiment, the stabilizer and the weak acid may be mixed together and added to the
mixture of step B/ homogenous heated mixture. In an embodiment, the stabilizer and weak acid may be added separately to the mixture of step B/ homogenous heated mixture.
In an embodiment, addition of weak acid involves addition of at least one weak acid to the
mixture of step B/ homogenous heated mixture. In an embodiment, addition of weak acid
25 involves addition of at least two weak acids to the mixture of step B/ homogenous heated
mixture. In an embodiment, the two weak acids may be added together or separately. In an embodiment, one of the two weak acids may be added in a combination with the stabilizer.
In an embodiment, the method of preparing an agricultural composition comprises adding an
additional stabilizing agent to the mixture of the nutrient particle and the size reducing agent
30 prior to or after the addition of the stabilizer.
32

In an embodiment, the final composition obtained after the addition of the size reducing agent, stabilizer(s) or stabilizer(s)-weak acid mixture, additional stabilizing agent(s), and optionally agrochemically suitable excipients is stirred for about 5 to 8 hours such as for about 6 to 7 hours prior to filtration.
5 In an embodiment, the resulting compositions prepared by the methods described herein are
stable compositions. In a preferred embodiment, the resulting compositions prepared by the methods described herein are stable nanoparticle compositions. The resulting compositions prepared by the methods described herein are stable nanofertilizer compositions.
In an embodiment, the nitrogen content of the raw material form of nutrient particle is in the
10 range of about 1% w/w to about 80% w/w of the total weight of the compound; and the particle
size is 5 µm or greater.
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for the preparation of plant extracts, in particular lotus leaf extract, banana leaf extract, betel vine leaf extract and Moringa extract.
15 In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for the preparation of microbial
extracts, in particular yeast extract.
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for the preparation of amino acid extract, preferably the amino acid extract obtained from a vegetable source.
In an embodiment, the particle size of the compositions of the present disclosure have been
20 characterized by methods selected from transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Dynamic
Light Scattering (DLS), or both. In a preferred embodiment, the particle size of the compositions of the present disclosure have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In a preferred embodiment, the particle size of the compositions of the present disclosure have been characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS).
25 An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of growth stimulation in a plant
or a part thereof, wherein the method comprises applying to the plant, a part thereof, or a locus a composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and 30 c) a stabilizer.
33

In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of growth stimulation in a plant or a part thereof, wherein the method comprises applying to the plant, a part thereof, or a locus a composition comprising:
5 a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of growth stimulation in a plant
10 or a part thereof, wherein the method comprises applying to the plant, a part thereof, or a locus
a composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
15 In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of growth stimulation in a plant or a part thereof, wherein the method comprises applying to the plant, a part thereof, or a locus a composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
20 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
In an embodiment, the nutrient nanoparticles have a particle size in the range of about 1 nm to about 5000 nm, preferably about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.
25 An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of improving plant health and
yield comprising applying a stabilized agricultural composition to a plant or a part thereof, or a locus, said composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and 30 c) a stabilizer.
34

In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of improving plant health and yield comprising applying a stabilized agricultural composition to a plant or a part thereof, or a locus, said composition comprising:
5 a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of improving plant health and
10 yield comprising applying a stabilized agricultural composition to a plant or a part thereof, or
a locus, said composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
15 In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of improving plant health and yield comprising applying a stabilized agricultural composition to a plant or a part thereof, or a locus, said composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
20 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
In an embodiment, the nutrient nanoparticles have a particle size in the range of about 1 nm to about 5000 nm, preferably about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.
25 An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a use of a stable agricultural composition as
a fertilizer, said composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
35

In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a use of a stable agricultural composition as a fertilizer, said composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
5 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a use of a stable agricultural composition as a fertilizer, said composition comprising:
10 a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a use of a stable agricultural composition as
15 a fertilizer, said composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
20 In an embodiment, the nutrient nanoparticles have a particle size in the range of about 1 nm to
about 5000 nm, preferably about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a use of a stable agricultural composition as a growth stimulant, said composition comprising:
a) a nutrient particle;
25 b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a use of a stable agricultural composition as a growth stimulant, said composition comprising:
36

a) a nutrient particle;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
5 An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a use of a stable agricultural composition as
a growth stimulant, said composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.
10 In an embodiment, said composition further comprises a weak acid.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a use of a stable agricultural composition as a growth stimulant, said composition comprising:
a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract;
15 c) a stabilizer; and
d) a weak acid.
In an embodiment, the nutrient nanoparticles have a particle size in the range of about 1 nm to about 5000 nm, preferably about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.
The plants for which the compositions of the present disclosure can be used are agronomically
20 useful plants, for example for example vegetable, fruit and cereal crops, and ornamental plants.
The agronomically useful plants are angiosperms selected from the group consisting of
Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae,
Fabaceae, Gramineae, Liliaceae, Polygonaceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae, the Vitaceae.
Thus, in an embodiment, the plant is selected from crops, cereals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, vines,
25 nursery plants and flowers. In an embodiment, non-limiting examples of plant include corn,
cereals such as rice, wheat, barley, rye, oat, sorghum, millet, triticale, buckwheat, etc.; cotton,
soybean, beet, row crops, legumes, grams, sugar cane, tobacco, etc.; oilseeds such as oilseed
rape, peanut/groundnut, rapeseed, sunflower, etc.; vegetables: solanaceous vegetables such as
eggplant, tomato, pimento, pepper, potato, etc., cucurbit vegetables such as cucumber,
30 pumpkin, zucchini, water melon, melon, squash, gourds, muskmelon, etc., cruciferous
37

vegetables such as radish, white turnip, horseradish, kohlrabi, cabbage, leaf mustard, broccoli,
cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, etc., asteraceous vegetables such as burdock, crown daisy,
artichoke, lettuce, etc, liliaceous vegetables such as green onion, onion, shallot, garlic, and
asparagus, ammiaceous vegetables such as carrot, parsley, celery, parsnip, leek, etc.,
5 chenopodiaceous vegetables such as spinach, swiss chard, etc., lamiaceous vegetables such as
Perilla frutescens, mint, basil, etc.; herbs and spices such as coriander, chamomile, cassia, catnip, clove, cumin, curry, cilantro, cinnamon, cardamom, dill, anise, juniper, lavender, parsley, rosemary, marigold, mustard, nutmeg, fennel, poppy, thyme, vanilla, saffron, poppy, sage, wintergreen, etc.; flowers, foliage plants, turf grasses, fruits: pome fruits such apple, pear,
10 quince, guava, etc, stone fleshy fruits such as peach, plum, nectarine, cherry, apricot, prune,
etc., citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, mandarin, malta, kumquat, pummelo, tangerine, tangor, uniq, etc., nuts such as chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almond, pistachio, cashew nuts, macadamia nuts, pecan nut, cashew nut, hazel nut, pine nut, etc. berries such as caneberry, strawberry, blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry, coryberry, darrowberry,
15 dewberry, thornless berry, evergreen blackberry, himalayaberry, hullberry, lavacaberry,
loganberry, lowberry, lucretiaberry, mammoth blackberry, marionberry, mora, mures deronce, nectarberry, olallieberry, evergreen berry, phenomenalberry, rangeberry, ravenberry, rossberry, dewberry, tayberry, youngberry, zarzamora, aronia berry, currant, elderberry, barberry, gooseberry, honeysuckle, huckleberry, jostaberry, juneberry, lingonberry, salal,
20 seabuckthorn, bayberry, buffaloberry, chokecherry, maypop, mulberry, bearberry, bilberry,
cloudberry, muntries, partridgeberry, etc., grape, kaki fruit, kiwi fruit, olive, plum, banana, coffee, date palm, coconuts, papaya, persimmon, avocado, dragon fruit, pomegranate, lychee, jackfruit, pineapple, passionfruit, sapota, etc., trees other than fruit trees; tea, mulberry, flowering plant, trees such as ash, birch, dogwood, eucalyptus, Ginkgo biloba, lilac, maple,
25 Quercus, poplar, Judas tree, Liquidambar formosana, plane tree, zelkova, 38olocasi arborvitae,
fir wood, hemlock, juniper, Pinus, Picea, and Taxus cuspidate, etc., other crops such as chive, day lily, Elegans hosta, Fritillaria, gojiberry, okra, pea, hops, beans, guar, radish, amaranth, jute, fenugreek, lentils, chickpea, artichoke, rhubarb, licorice, sweet potato, Dioscorea japonica, 38olocasia, ornamental grasses (lawn turf, sod, etc.), varieties and cultivars thereof.
30 In an embodiment, the compositions according to the present disclosure are suitable for use in
seed treatment. Solutions for seed treatment (LS), Suspoemulsions (SE), flowable concentrates (FS), powders for dry treatment (DS), water-dispersible powders for slurry treatment (WS), water-soluble powders (SS), emulsions (ES), emulsifiable concentrates (EC) and gels (GF) are
38

usually employed for the purposes of treatment of plant propagation materials, particularly seeds.
An embodiment also provides a seed coated with the compositions of the present disclosure.
The compositions of the present disclosure as per an embodiment can be applied
5 • Pre-emergence
• Post-emergence
• Before sowing
• Pre-harvest
In an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure are applied before
10 planting/sowing; at the time of sowing, germination, early leaf stage, early bloom stage, pre-
bloom stage, full bloom stage, petal fall stage, swollen bud stage, bud break stage, post petal
fall stage, post bud break stage, pre-bud break stage, full pistillate stage, post pollination stage,
square formation stage, pegging stage, post-pegging stage, fruit set stage, early mid-bloom,
greenup (post-dormancy) stage, bud set stage, etc; after flowering stage; harvest stage; and/or
15 post-harvest. In an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure may be applied
anytime throughout the growth stage as conventionally known to a person skilled in the art.
The time of application depends on the plant or a part thereof to which the compositions of the
present disclosure are applied; environmental conditions such as nutrient deficiency, biotic and
abiotic stresses; type of application and the expected outcome or any other parameter known
20 to a person skilled in the art. Applications can be made throughout the growth of the plant, one
or more times a week.
In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention is applied directly and/or indirectly to the plant and/or to plant propagation material by drenching the soil, by drip application onto the soil, by soil injection, by dipping or by treatment of seeds.
25 The compositions of the present disclosure may be applied by dusting, spraying, granular
application, seed pelleting/seed dressing, broadcasting, in furrow application, side dressing, spot application, ring application, root zone application, pralinage, seedling root dip, sett treatment, trunk/stem injection, padding, swabbing, root feeding, soil drenching, capsular placement, baiting, fumigation, banding, foliar application, basal application, space treatment,
39

enclosed space fumigation and such other methods which may help prevent or control or eradicate the disease.
In a preferred embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure are applied as a drench
application, in-furrow application, soil, drip irrigation, soil injection, hydroponic application,
5 capillary action application, root infiltration, or a foliar application. In an embodiment, the
compositions of the present disclosure is applied as a seed treatment such as seed soak
application, seed coating application, germination treatment; or a rooting/shooting dip
treatment. The type of application is decided as per the plant or a part thereof to which the
compositions of the present disclosure are applied, the outcome expected, and the time of
10 application and any other conventional parameters as known to a person skilled in the art.
The present compositions can be applied by the use of conventional ground sprayers, granule
applicators, watering (drenching), drip irrigation, spraying, atomizing, broadcasting, dusting,
foaming, spreading-on, aerial methods of spraying, aerial methods of application, methods
utilizing application using modern technologies such as, but not limited to, drones, robots,
15 predosage device, a knapsack sprayer, a spray tank, a spray plane, or an irrigation system and
by other conventional means known to those skilled in the art.
In an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure may be combined with or applied
in association with one or more additional agrochemically active agents. The agrochemically
active substance is selected from, but not limited to, fertilizers, mycorrhiza, micronutrients,
20 macronutrients, acaricides, algicides, antifeedants, avicides, bactericides, bird repellents,
chemosterilants, fungicides, herbicide safeners, herbicides, insect attractants, insect repellents, insecticides, mammal repellents, mating disruptors, molluscicides, nematicides, plant activators, plant-growth regulators, rodenticides, synergists, virucides, derivatives thereof, biological control agents, superabsorbent polymers and mixtures thereof.
25 In an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure may be combined with additional
nanoparticle compositions of other macronutrients and micronutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, metals, and minerals.
In an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure are used for slow and sustained
release of the nutrient particle. In an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure
30 are used for quick release of the nutrient particle.
Examples
40

Example 1: Preparation of nanoparticle composition (comprising nitrogen 5% w/v) of urea
Dried and ground leaves of lotus and banana were soaked in demineralized water for 4-8 hours
followed by boiling at 100°C – 120°C for 1 hour and subsequently filtration to obtain a
5 homogenous plant extract.
The plant extract was combined with technical grade urea (Fig 1) for particle size reduction
which involved stirring at 200-600 rpm for one hour to get a homogenous mixture followed by
heating at 40 to 60 ˚C for 4 – 6 hours. The pH of the solution was maintained at 7.0 – 8.0 in the
process. After heating, the homogenized mixture was subjected to continuous stirring at 200-
10 600 rpm to prevent coagulation. Particle size of urea particle was recorded at this stage using
TEM and DLS methods (Fig 2). As can be seen from Fig. 2, treatment of urea particles with
the plant extract resulted in reducing the size of the urea particles and provided a mixture with
a more uniform size distribution of the particles.
Yeast extract was prepared by fermenting a primary inoculum of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
15 (yeast) for 24-96 hrs at 28-30°C. The fermentation media comprising yeast was subjected to
heat killing and sonication process at 90˚C for 1 hour. The fermentation media comprising
heat-killed and sonicated yeast was filtered to obtain a cell-free homogenous yeast extract. The
cell-free homogenous yeast extract was added to the homogenized composition comprising
urea and plant extract and pH was reduced to 3.0 – 4.0. This mixture was subjected to ultra-
20 sonification for 30 minutes to 4 hours, at 45-50˚C.
20-40 gram per litre of citric acid was dissolved in demineralized water under agitation. 0.5 gram/litre chitosan flakes were dissolved into the water under agitation at 200 to 600 rpm till chitosan was solubilized completely. Chitosan and citric acid were mixed and added to the above mixture. Polysorbate and glycerol were further added to the above solution.
25 Final composition was agitated for about 6 to 7 hours at room temperature. After the
completion of homogenization, the homogenized composition was filtered, and supernatant was separated to obtain the liquid composition comprising urea in form of nanoparticles.
Table 1: Composition comprising urea nanoparticles having a nitrogen content of 5% w/v

Components Concentration % w/v
Urea 11.0
Plant extract 58.3
41

Yeast extract 29.4
Chitosan 0.003
Citric acid 1.097
Polysorbate 0.1
Glycerol 0.1
Total 100
The above composition was subjected to particle size analysis performed using Dynamic Light
Scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The sampling and testing were
carried out using standard protocols and procedures as known to a person ordinarily skilled in
5 the art. The particle size of urea nanoparticles was recorded to be in the range of 1 nm to 1000
nm (Fig 3, Fig 4A-4D). As can be seen from Fig. 3, the final composition showed a tighter and more uniform size distribution of the particles compared to the size distribution prior to addition of the plant extract (Fig 1) and after the addition of the plant extract but prior to addition of the stabilizers (Fig 2).
10 Example 2: Preparation of nanoparticle composition (comprising nitrogen 5% w/v) of
diammonium phosphate.
Dried and ground leaves of banana, betel vine and moringa were soaked in demineralized water for 4-8 hours followed by boiling at 100°C - 120°C for 1 hour and subsequently filtration to obtain a homogenous plant extract.
15 The plant extract was combined with diammonium phosphate raw material (Fig 5) for particle
size reduction which involved stirring at 200-600 rpm for one to two hours to get a homogenous mixture followed by heating at 40 to 60 ˚C for one hour. The pH of the solution was maintained at 7.0 in the process. After heating, the supernatant was collected and subjected to high-speed agitation at 500 rpm for 4-6 hours. Particle size of diammonium phosphate particle was
20 recorded at this stage using TEM and DLS methods (Fig 6). As can be seen from Fig. 6,
treatment of diammonium phosphate particles with the plant extract resulted in reducing the size of the diammonium phosphate particles and provided a mixture with a more uniform size distribution of the particles.
During agitation, amino acid extract was added to the supernatant.
25 20-40 gram per litre of critic acid was dissolved in demineralized water under agitation. 0.5
gram/litre chitosan flakes were dissolved into the water under agitation at 200 to 600 rpm till
42

chitosan was solubilized completely. Chitosan and citric acid were mixed and added to the above mixture. Polysorbate and glycerol were further added to the above solution.
Final composition was agitated for about 6 to 7 hours at room temperature. After the
completion of homogenization, the homogenized composition was filtered, and supernatant
5 was separated to obtain the liquid composition comprising diammonium phosphate in form of
nanoparticles.
Table 2: Composition comprising diammonium phosphate nanoparticles having a nitrogen content of 5% w/v

Components Concentration % w/v
Diammonium phosphate 27
Plant extract 40.097
Amino acid 31.5
Chitosan 0.003
Citric acid 1.155
Polysorbate 0.126
Glycerol 0.119
Total 100
The above composition was subjected to particle size analysis performed using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The sampling and testing were carried out using standard protocols and procedures as known to a person ordinarily skilled in the art. The particle size of urea nanoparticles was recorded to be in the range of 5 nm to 800 nm (Fig 7, Fig 8A-8D). As can be seen from Fig. 7, the final composition showed a tighter and more uniform size distribution of the particles compared to the size distribution prior to addition of the plant extract (Fig 5) and after the addition of the plant extract but prior to addition of the stabilizers (Fig 7).
Example 3:
Separate plant extracts of banana leaf, eucalyptus leaf, chili leaf, maize leaf, mango leaf and tomato leaf were prepared by soaking in demineralized water for 4-8 hours followed by boiling at 100°C – 120°C for 1 hour and subsequently filtration to obtain a homogenous plant extract of respective plant.
Gooseberry (amla) fruit powder was prepared by dessicating/dehydrating gooseberry fruit and grinding into a coarse powder. The powder was dissolved in water to make an extract.
43

Table 3: Combinations of plant extract were prepared in the following ratios:

Plant extract 1 Plant extract 2 Ratio of mixing plant extract 1: plant extract 2
Banana leaf Eucalyptus leaf 8:2
Banana leaf Amla fruit powder 8:2
Banana leaf Chili leaf 8:2
Banana leaf Maize leaf 8:2
Banana leaf Mango leaf 8:2
Banana leaf Tomato leaf 8:2
Preparation of urea-based fertilizer:
The above-mentioned extracts of table 3 were used to prepare nanoparticle composition
5 (comprising nitrogen 5% w/v) of urea as per the process described in Example 1. The particle
size of urea prior to treatment with plant extract and chitosan was recorded to be in the range as observed in Fig 1.
Preparation of diammonium phosphate-based fertilizer:
The above-mentioned extracts of table 3 were used to prepare nanoparticle composition
10 (comprising nitrogen 5% w/v) of diammonium phosphate as per the process described in
Example 2. The particle size of diammonium phosphate prior to treatment with plant extract and chitosan was recorded to be in the range as observed in Fig 5.
The final particle size of the nutrient particle urea and diammonium phosphate was calculated by DLS and is recorded in the table 4 below:
15 Table 4: Particle size of urea and diammonium phosphate

Nutrient particle Plant extract 1 Plant extract 2 Ratio of mixing plant extract 1: plant extract 2 Particle size in nm
Urea Banana leaf Eucalyptus leaf 8:2 15.47
Urea Banana leaf Amla fruit powder 8:2 101.6
Urea Banana leaf Chili leaf 8:2 16.57
Urea Banana leaf Maize leaf 8:2 28.78
44

Urea Banana leaf Mango leaf 8:2 28.4
Urea Banana leaf Tomato leaf 8:2 57.44
Diammonium phosphate Banana leaf Eucalyptus leaf 8:2 593.3
Diammonium phosphate Banana leaf Amla fruit powder 8:2 525.2
Diammonium phosphate Banana leaf Chili leaf 8:2 583.3
Diammonium phosphate Banana leaf Maize leaf 8:2 595
Diammonium phosphate Banana leaf Mango leaf 8:2 731.8
Diammonium phosphate Banana leaf Tomato leaf 8:2 453.5
Example 4:
The compositions of Example 1 and Example 2 were tested on corn.
The trial was designed as 4 replicated blocks (RCB design) 2m x 6m per plot in clay soil of pH
5 8.44. The trial comprised of following treatments:
Treatment 1. Untreated plants
Treatment 2. Plants treated with 30Kg basal nitrogen
Treatment 3. Plants treated with 30Kg basal nitrogen + 57 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer
(standard used in farmer practice)
10 Treatment 4. Plants treated with 30Kg basal nitrogen + 57 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer +
compositions of Example 1 (3 ltr/ha)
Treatment 5. Plants treated with 30Kg basal nitrogen + 57 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer +
compositions of Example 2 (3 ltr/ha)
Treatment 6. Plants treated with 30Kg basal nitrogen + 57 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer +
15 compositions of Example 1 (4.5 ltr/ha)
Treatment 7. Plants treated with 30Kg basal nitrogen + 57 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer +
compositions of Example 2 (4.5 ltr/ha)
Treatment 8. Plants treated with 30Kg basal nitrogen + 115 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer
45

The compositions of Example 1 and Example 2 were applied as a foliar application at V6 stage as per BBCH scale at a rate of 3 ltr/ha, and 4.5 ltr/ha. Yield was calculated as tons/ha.
Table 5: Efficacy of compositions of Example 1 and Example 2 on yield of corn when applied as a foliar treatment.
Treatment Yield ton/ha % increase in yield compared to untreated
Treatment 1 8.5
Treatment 2 9.5 11.76
Treatment 3 10 17.65
Treatment 4 10.6 24.71
Treatment 5 10.7 25.88
Treatment 6 11.4 34.12
Treatment 7 11.5 35.29
Treatment 8 9.9 16.47
From the above table, it is clearly seen that the provision of additional Nitrogen used as a part of standard farmer practice from 50% to 100% i.e. 57kg/ha to 115kg/ha was excessive and affected yield negatively. However, when the treatments with 50% nitrogen used as a part of standard farmer practice i.e. 57 kg/ha was supplemented with the compositions of the present invention, an increase in yield was observed, with treatment 6 and 7 providing 34.12 % and 35.29% increase over 17.65% increase provided by treatment 3 (without composition of present invention) and 16.47% increase provided by treatment 8 (without composition of present invention).
Thus, the compositions of the present invention show equal efficacy irrespective of the raw material nutrient particle used (urea or diammonium phosphate). The compositions of the present invention can be applied as foliar treatments as compared to conventional ground and soil applications thus bypassing the inefficiency of soil applied fertilizers and offer growers a real opportunity to compensate for nutrient inefficiencies and complimenting crop performance. Thus, the compositions of the present invention can alleviate the problems faced due to conventional fertilizers, increase nutrient uptake and use efficiency, supplement a farmer practice and reduce dependency on chemical or conventional fertilizers with the outcome of a reduction in carbon footprint, GHG emissions and less exposure of excess nutrients into the environment.

We claim,
1. An agricultural composition comprising:
(a) a nutrient particle;
(b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
(c) a stabilizer.

2. The agricultural composition of claim 1, wherein said composition further comprises a weak acid.
3. The agricultural composition of claim 1, wherein the particle size of resultant particles or nutrient particles present in the composition ranges from about 1 nm to about 5,000 nm.
4. The agricultural composition of claim 1, wherein the nutrient particle comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or combinations thereof.
5. The agricultural composition of claim 4, wherein the nutrient particle comprises nitrogen and is a nitrogen-containing plant nutrient or a nitrogen-containing fertilizer such as those selected from the group consisting of urea (carbamide), ammonium compounds, ammonium fertilizer, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), cyanamide, guanidine nitrate, dicyandiamide (DCD), guanyl urea sulphate, thiourea, urea formaldehyde polymer, amino acids, amines, amino alcohols, amides, lactams, nitro compounds, imines, nitriles, diazonium salts, hydrazides, carbazides, oximes, alkyl nitrates, nitrosamines, nitroarenes, peroxyacyl nitrates and heterocyclic compounds such as imidazole, triazole, and tetrazole and salts or derivatives thereof.
6. The agricultural composition of claim 4, wherein the nutrient particle comprises nitrogen and phosphorus and is an inorganic ammonium salt selected from ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and combinations thereof.
7. The agricultural composition of claim 1, the plant extract belongs to an angiosperm plant or a part thereof.
8. The agricultural composition of claim 7, wherein the plant extract is an extract of a plant, or a part of plant selected from the group consisting of genera Nelumbo, Musa,

Moringa, Citrus, Brassica, Avena, Cymbopogon, Piper, Tamarindus, Aloe, Phyllanthus, Capsicum, Zea, Mangifera, Solanum, Eucalyptus, Syzygium, Psidium, Elaeocarpus, and combinations thereof.
9. The agricultural composition of claim 8, wherein the plant extract is an extract of a
plant, or a part of plant selected from the group consisting of lotus, banana, moringa,
lemon, lime, mustard, oats, betel vine, tamarind, aloe vera, Indian gooseberry (amla),
maize, mango, chili, tomato, guava, jamun, plum, rudraksh, eucalyptus, grasses such as
lemon grass, and combinations thereof.
10. The agricultural composition of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer is a polycation polymer selected from polyamidoamine, polyethylenimine, mannosylated polyethylenimine, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, poly(allylamine), poly(l-lysine), poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride), and poly(allylamine hydrochloride); or combinations thereof.
11. The agricultural composition of claim 2, wherein the weak acid is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, carbonic acid, and salts or derivatives thereof.
12. The agricultural composition of claim 11, wherein the weak acid is a combination of one or more weak acids or salts or derivatives thereof.
13. The agricultural composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises one or more additional stabilizing agents selected from a humic substance, a sugar, an amino acid or an extract comprising an amino acid, and combinations thereof.
14. The agricultural composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a pH in the range of about 4 to 6.
15. A method of preparing an agricultural composition of claim 1, said method comprising:

(A) providing a raw material form of nutrient particle;
(B) mixing a size reducing agent with said nutrient particle, wherein the size reducing agent is a plant extract; and
(C) adding a stabilizer to the mixture of step B to stabilize the composition thus obtained.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the step of mixing a size reducing agent with said nutrient particle comprises i) mixing the size reducing agent with the nutrient particle to obtain a mixture; ii) subjecting the mixture to a first stirring obtain a homogenous mixture; iii) heating the homogenous mixture to obtain a heated mixture; and iv) subjecting the heated mixture to a second stirring.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the stabilizer is mixed with a weak acid and added to the mixture of step B/ homogenous heated mixture.
18. A method of improving plant health and yield comprising applying to the plant or a part thereof, or a locus a composition of claim 1.
19. Use of a composition of claim 1 as a fertilizer or as a composition for improving plant health and yield.
20. An agricultural composition comprising:

a) a plurality of nutrient nanoparticles;
b) a size reducing agent comprising a plant extract; and
c) a stabilizer.