Q: Why does the Government of India promote the use of Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture?
a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms
b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields
d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops
The correct answer is Option 2.
Urea
- It is essential for plant growth, is a significant source of nitrogen, but only 30–40% of the available nitrogen in the area is used by crops, with the remainder degrading at various stages.
- Ordinary urea is transformed into ammonium carbamate when it is applied, and some of this ammonium carbamate is turned to ammonia gas through a process known as ammonia volatilization.
- When nitrogen is volatilized, 8–10% of it is lost.
- Neem possesses qualities that monitor nitrogen loss at every stage.
- Neem coating slows down the rate of urea dissolution in the soil because it slows down the process of nitrate production, which prevents excess nitrate from being accessible for denitrification. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
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