Why does the Government of India promote the use of Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture?
This questions was previously asked in
UPSC CSP Previous Year Paper (2016)
Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms
Incorrect Answer Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
Correct AnswerNitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields
Incorrect AnswerIt is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops
Incorrect AnswerExplanation:
When ordinary urea is applied, it gets converted to ammonium carbamate. Some of this gets converted to ammonia gas in what is called ammonia volatilisation. About 8-10 per cent nitrogen is lost during volatilisation. Neem has properties that check nitrogen loss at each stage. It slows down the process of nitrate formation and hence excess nitrate is not available for denitrification.
Neem coating also prevents Urea from being diverted to non-agricultural purposes.
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By: Abhipedia