Patiala, November 2 - Scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Punjab Agricultural University, Patiala, have informed about the use of alternative sources of DAP fertilizer, which is widely used in wheat crop. Dr. Gurpreet Singh Sidhu, Assistant Professor (Crop Science) of Krishi Science Centre, Patiala, said that DAP fertilizer is mainly used for supplementing phosphorus content in wheat crop. It contains 46 percent phosphorus and 18 percent nitrogen.
He said that some other fertilizers can also be used as a substitute for this fertilizer, but their required quantity may be different from DAP. One such fertilizer is NPK (12:32:16) which contains 32 percent phosphorus, 12 percent nitrogen and 16 percent potassium. 1.5 bags of NPK (12:32:16) can be used in place of one bag of DAP. Dr. Sidhu said that farmers can also use 3 bags of single superphosphate fertilizer or one bag of triple superphosphate fertilizer instead of one bag of DAP fertilizer.
Deputy Director (Training) of KVK, Patiala, Dr. Hardeep Singh Sabikhi said that fertilizers should be used in crops only on the basis of soil test. He informed that NPK (12:32:16) could prove to be a very good alternative to DAP; Because its 1.5 bag contains as much phosphorus and nitrogen as DAP, but also contains 23 kg of potash.
Dr. Sabikhi said that triple superphosphate is a new fertilizer available in the market which has the same phosphorus content as DAP as well as calcium content. He said that if farmers use single superphosphate or triple superphosphate while sowing wheat; So they should also add 20 kg urea per acre at the time of sowing.