Blog Post

Nanoliquids: the newest category in agricultural inputs

Jenny Phillips, Director of Marketing • Apr 26, 2021

Chemicals… fertilizers… seeds… biologicals… 

where do nanoliquids fit in the world of agricultural inputs? 

  • Nanoliquids are not a chemical but rather manufactured particles that encapsulate crop protection. NanoPro®, energized by Aqua-Yield® NanoShield® Technology, can be added to any spray mixture to enhance plant uptake of specialty and generic crop protection products. 
  • Nanoliquids are not fertilizers but Aqua-Yield® nanoliquids are pre-mixed products that combine NanoShield® technology and quality liquid inputs to give your plants instant access to the nutrition they need at planting through critical growth stages. 
  • Nanoliquids are definitely not seeds but can be used to enhance liquid crop starters and/or liquid seed treatments. NanoShield® Technology delivers essential nutrients into the seed for rapid germination and growth. Continued uptake occurs in young seminal roots, improving the amount of nutrients getting into the young seedling for quicker emergence.
  • Nanoliquids are not biologicals, defined as plant protection products derived from living organisms. However, Aqua-Yield® nanoliquids are proven to improve the absorption of biological products through the efficient delivery of NanoShield® Technology.



A completely new category: nanoliquids


Nanotechnology is relatively new in agriculture but is being studied and used across multiple fields including science, mechanics, electronics, biology, and medicine. Aqua-Yield® nanoliquids effectively work as a delivery system for nutrients and crop protection products. The NanoShield® technology protects molecules from environmental losses and efficiently delivers them to plants at the cellular level. A process called endocytosis brings the NanoShield® particles into the cell where the “payload” is emptied. 


What qualifies as a “nanoliquid”? A nanoliquid contains thousands of nanoparticles which are between 1-100 nanometers (nm) in size, providing room for thousands of nutrient molecules. Nutrient molecules of the fertilizer solution are attracted to the nanoparticle and form an outer layer of molecules. The nanoparticle is then filled with charged nutrient molecules and has additional charged molecules attached to its surface. Due to the concentrated nature of nanoliquids, generally only 4-6 oz/ac is recommended when being applied with liquid crop inputs.


Why is this “small” (or nano) discovery actually huge for the ag industry?

Aqua-Yield® nanoparticles quickly penetrate plant barriers and are easily absorbed before washing away, physical tie-up interactions, or leaching away, so growers won’t lose their investment to environmental losses. Growers can get more out of their crop input efficiencies while also having the ability to reduce costs. They can treat more acres with fewer trips and have less material to handle. Good for the grower, good for the environment. What’s the catch? Only crops looking for loaded nanoparticles. #sustainability #BeSure

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    © 2020 Aqua Yield Operations, LLC

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    © 2020 Aqua Yield Operations, LLC

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Aqua-Yield®: the nanoliquid technology company


In 2014, Aqua-Yield CEO and cofounder Clark Bell first heard that a friend was using nanotechnology to enhance his dry-cleaning business and wondered if nanoparticles could improve farm production. The trials his father, Warren Bell, conducted on their sod farm saw significant improvement over industry standards. From there, Warren and Clark met Fraser and Mike Bullock, investors who love to back science-based companies. Together, they incorporated Aqua-Yield® and formed an investor group, including sod growers from Australia, Canada, Norway and South Africa. The company filed its first patent and formulated nanoliquids for agriculture. Also backed by the The Nano Institute of Utah, Aqua-Yield® is now the leading nanoliquid company for agricultural production worldwide. 


This “nano” discovery doesn’t stop here. The Aqua-Yield® Research & Development team is fully committed to understanding the science behind nanotechnology, how it enhances soil health, promoting sustainability, and how it can improve crop issues growers face worldwide.


By Jenny Phillips, Director of Marketing 01 Feb, 2024
Some of their success has been attributed to two sustainable product lines which continue to prove their worth in providing early and faster growth, more healthy plants and cost-effective returns on investment: Calcine® and nanotechnology-based products from Aqua-Yield®.
By Jenny Phillips, Director of Marketing 06 Dec, 2023
Aqua-Yield® was excited to partner with Beck's again this year and trial some of our nanoliquid® products through their PFR (Practical Farm Research) program. Our 2-year multi-location trials show how our technology helps growers take their inputs to the next level. We strive to become PFR Proven next year!
By Brit Hunter, Technical Agronomist 30 Nov, 2023
NanoPro is the Aqua-Yield® flagship carrier adjuvant for crop protection applications. Add NanoPro to any Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) product to increase plant uptake and amplify the end result for crops. PGR products mimic natural plant hormones that either promote or slow plant growth. The chemical structure of PGR products is highly synergistic with Aqua-Yield nanotechnology.
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