In anticipation of potential shortages of DAP fertilizer across the country, agricultural experts have issued guidance to farmers on alternative fertilizer options. For early-maturing paddy varieties, farmers are advised to use a combination of 52 kg of urea, 100 kg of superphosphate, and 13 kg of potash per acre. Alternatively, 50 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer mixed with 39 kg of urea can be applied per acre. Another recommendation is a blend of 80 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 18 kg of urea, and 13 kg of potash per acre.
For long-duration paddy varieties (maturing in over 140 days), the experts suggest using 70 kg of urea, 125 kg of superphosphate, and 20 kg of potash per acre as a substitute for DAP. Alternatively, a mixture of 62 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 54 kg of urea, and 4 kg of potash can be used per acre for long-duration paddy. Another option is to use a blend of 100 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 26 kg of urea, and 20 kg of potash per acre for late-maturing paddy.
For medium-duration paddy varieties (maturing in 125-140 days), the recommendation is to use 87 kg of urea, 150 kg of superphosphate, and 27 kg of potash per acre instead of DAP. A blend of 75 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 67 kg of urea, and 7 kg of potash can also be used per acre for medium-duration paddy. Another option is to use a combination of 120 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 35 kg of urea, and 27 kg of potash per acre for medium-duration paddy.
For hybrid paddy varieties, the scientists suggest using 113 kg of urea, 200 kg of superphosphate, and 40 kg of potash per acre. Similarly, a blend of 100 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 86 kg of urea, and 13 kg of potash can be used per acre for hybrid paddy. Another option is to use a mix of 160 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 44 kg of urea, and 40 kg of potash per acre for hybrid paddy.
For maize crops, farmers are advised to use alternative fertilizer combinations instead of DAP. For composite varieties of maize, farmers can use 70 kg of urea, 100 kg of superphosphate, and 20 kg of potash per acre. Similarly, a combination of 50 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 56 kg of urea, and 7 kg of potash can be used per acre for maize crops. Another option is to use a mix of 80 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 35 kg of urea, and 20 kg of potash per acre for composite maize.
For hybrid maize varieties, farmers can use 87 kg of urea, 150 kg of superphosphate, and 27 kg of potash per acre. Likewise, a combination of 75 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 67 kg of urea, and 7 kg of potash can be used per acre for hybrid maize. Another option is to use a blend of 120 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 35 kg of urea, and 27 kg of potash per acre for hybrid maize.
For soybean and groundnut farmers, experts recommend using 17 kg of urea, 200 kg of superphosphate, and 13 kg of potash per acre instead of DAP. Alternatively, farmers can use 100 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer per acre for these crops.