Due to a potential nationwide shortage of DAP fertilizer, agricultural scientists and specialists are advising farmers to explore alternative fertilizer options. For early-maturing paddy varieties, a mixture of 52 kg of urea, 100 kg of superphosphate, and 13 kg of potash per acre is suggested. Another option is to use 50 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer combined with 39 kg of urea per acre. Additionally, a blend of 80 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 18 kg of urea, and 13 kg of potash per acre can be used.
For paddy varieties that take longer than 140 days to mature, farmers are advised to use 70 kg of urea, 125 kg of superphosphate, and 20 kg of potash per acre as a substitute for DAP. Another recommended option is to use 62 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 54 kg of urea, and 4 kg of potash per acre. Alternatively, a combination of 100 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 26 kg of urea, and 20 kg of potash per acre can be used.
For medium-duration paddy varieties (125-140 days), the guidance is to use 87 kg of urea, 150 kg of superphosphate, and 27 kg of potash per acre as a replacement for DAP. Similarly, a blend of 75 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 67 kg of urea, and 7 kg of potash can be used per acre. Another alternative is to use 120 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 35 kg of urea, and 27 kg of potash per acre.
For hybrid paddy, scientists recommend applying 113 kg of urea, 200 kg of superphosphate, and 40 kg of potash per acre. Also, a mix of 100 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 86 kg of urea, and 13 kg of potash can be used per acre. Furthermore, 160 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 44 kg of urea, and 40 kg of potash can be used per acre for hybrid varieties.
For maize crops, alternative fertilizer strategies are advised. For composite maize varieties, farmers can use 70 kg of urea, 100 kg of superphosphate, and 20 kg of potash per acre. In addition, 50 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 56 kg of urea, and 7 kg of potash can be used per acre. Another option is to use 80 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 35 kg of urea, and 20 kg of potash per acre for composite maize.
For hybrid maize varieties, farmers can substitute DAP with a mixture of 87 kg of urea, 150 kg of superphosphate, and 27 kg of potash per acre. A mixture of 75 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer, 67 kg of urea, and 7 kg of potash can also be used per acre for hybrid maize. Additionally, 120 kg of complex fertilizer 20:20:00:13, 35 kg of urea, and 27 kg of potash per acre can be used for hybrid maize.
For soybean and groundnut, experts recommend 17 kg of urea, 200 kg of superphosphate, and 13 kg of potash per acre in place of DAP. Alternatively, farmers can use 100 kg of NPK 12:32:16 fertilizer per acre for these crops.