Chemical and mineral fertilizer categories
- Straight fertilizers: Supply a single primary nutrient, such as Urea (46% N), Muriate of Potash (MOP, 60% K2O), and Single Super Phosphate (SSP, 16% P2O5).
- Complex fertilizers: Contain two or three primary nutrients chemically combined, such as Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP, 18-46-0), 10:26:26, and 12:32:16.
- Water-soluble specialty fertilizers: Fully soluble grades like 19:19:19, 0:52:34, and Potassium Nitrate (13:0:45) designed for drip fertigation and foliar nutrition.
Organic manures and biofertilizers
- Bulky organic manures: Farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and poultry manure that improve soil structure, water holding capacity, and microbial life.
- Nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers: Live bacterial formulations such as Rhizobium for legumes, and Azotobacter and Azospirillum for non-legume cereals.
- Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and mycorrhiza: Convert insoluble soil phosphorus into plant-absorbable orthophosphate forms.
Micronutrients and innovative nano fertilizers
- Micronutrient fertilizers: Formulations of Zinc Sulphate, Borax, Ferrous Sulphate, and chelated EDTA compounds correcting trace mineral hunger.
- Nano fertilizers: Nano Urea and Nano DAP developed by IFFCO, offering enhanced nutrient uptake efficiency through foliar stomatal absorption.
- All fertilizer grades manufactured and distributed in India adhere to standards specified in the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO).
Official source
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Department of Fertilizers (Govt of India) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What are the main types of fertilizers used in India?
Chemical (straight and complex), water-soluble specialty, organic manures, and microbial biofertilizers.
What is the difference between straight and complex fertilizers?
Straight fertilizers provide one primary nutrient (e.g. Urea), while complex fertilizers provide two or three nutrients (e.g. DAP).
What are water-soluble fertilizers used for?
They are designed for 100% dissolution in drip irrigation fertigation and foliar spray applications.
Which law regulates fertilizer quality in India?
The Fertilizer (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order (FCO), administered by the Department of Fertilizers.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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