Abstract
Use of high analysis fertilizers such as diammonium phosphate in place of ordinary superphosphate and urea in place of ammonium sulphate over years, sulphur application to crop fields has considerably decreased, which has led to widespread sulphur deficiency in Indian soils. Hence, considering this into account a field study for two years was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate sulphur-coated urea (SCU) as a source of sulphur (S) and an enhanced efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer. Prilled urea (PU) coated with 4 to 5% S significantly increased wheat grain yield to the tune of 9.58 to 11.21% and nitrogen 19.06 to 23.94% and sulphur uptake 21.76 to 29.29% over prilled urea alone by wheat. However, net return and benefit: cost ratio was the highest and significant at 5% S coating onto PU. Five % SCU supplied 50% of the sulphur needs of the wheat crop and enhanced nitrogen recovery efficiency by 60% and is therefore recommended as sulphur as well as enhanced efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer for wheat in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. This is an important finding considering the environmental safety by increased nitrogen recovery and also productivity in present scenario.
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Acknowledgements
The authors duly acknowledge the partial financial support received from the Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (MFCL), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Our sincere thanks are due to Director, Joint Director Research and Head, Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi for their advice and support.
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Shivay, Y.S., Pooniya, V., Prasad, R. et al. Sulphur-coated Urea as a Source of Sulphur and an Enhanced Efficiency of Nitrogen Fertilizer for Spring Wheat. CEREAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 44, 513–523 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1556/0806.44.2016.002
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/0806.44.2016.002