Straight Nitrogenous & Phosphatic Fertilizers
Straight fertilizers supply primarily a single major macronutrient (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, or Potassium). They form the backbone of basal and top-dressing applications in Indian agriculture.
Under government regulations, standard straight fertilizers must conform to statutory minimum purity standards, moisture ceilings, and mandatory physical granule specifications.
- Neem Coated Urea (46% N): Mandatory 100% neem oil coating to slow nitrification and reduce nitrogen leaching losses
- Ammonium Sulphate (20.5% N, 23% S): Excellent nitrogen and sulfur source, especially in alkaline soils
- Single Super Phosphate (SSP - 16% P2O5, 11% S, 19% Ca): Economical phosphatic fertilizer supplying phosphorus, calcium, and sulfur
- Triple Super Phosphate (TSP - 46% P2O5): High-concentration water-soluble phosphate formulation
Complex & Potassic Fertilizers
Complex fertilizers contain two or more primary plant nutrients chemically bonded during manufacturing. They ensure balanced nutrient delivery in every granule.
Potassic fertilizers supply potassium to govern plant water turgor, enzyme activation, and disease defense across all agro-climatic zones.
- Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP - 18% N, 46% P2O5): Widely used basal fertilizer across wheat, paddy, and pulse crops
- NPK Complexes: Popular granular grades including 10:26:26, 12:32:16, 20:20:0:13, and 14:35:14
- Muriate of Potash (MOP - 60% K2O): Potassium chloride; major source of agricultural potash
- Sulphate of Potash (SOP - 50% K2O, 17.5% S): Chloride-free potassium source for premium horticultural crops
Water-Soluble & Micronutrient Categories
The FCO incorporates specialized 100% water-soluble fertilizers (WSFs) for micro-irrigation systems alongside essential micronutrient compounds.
Micronutrient fertilizers prevent hidden hunger in intensive cropping systems where continuous high yields deplete soil trace minerals.
- 100% Water-Soluble NPKs: 19:19:19, 12:61:00 (MAP), 00:52:34 (MKP), 13:00:45 (Potassium Nitrate)
- Zinc Fertilizers: Zinc Sulphate Heptahydrate (21% Zn) and Monohydrate (33% Zn), alongside Chelated Zn-EDTA (12% Zn)
- Boron Compounds: Borax (10.5% B) and Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate (20% B) for foliar application
- Iron, Copper & Manganese: Chelated EDTA formulations and agricultural sulfate salts
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Department of Fertilizers, Government of India ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the difference between a straight fertilizer and a complex fertilizer?
A straight fertilizer supplies only one primary nutrient (e.g., Urea supplies Nitrogen); a complex fertilizer contains two or more primary nutrients chemically combined in each granule (e.g., DAP supplies N and P).
Why is all agricultural urea in India coated with neem oil?
Neem coating acts as a natural nitrification inhibitor that slows nitrogen release, reduces leaching and volatilization losses, and prevents illegal industrial diversion.
Where can farmers verify if a fertilizer complies with Indian standards?
Farmers can consult the official specifications under Schedule I of the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985, published by the Department of Fertilizers at fert.nic.in.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Fertilizers & Crop Nutrition guides
Ask Sakhi AI in your language, check live mandi prices or plan a loan with KisanPe tools.