If DAP shortage, use superphosphate for wheat sowing: experts

Ludhiana, Nov 8 (UNI) Agri experts have advised farmers to use triple superphosphate (Triple) during wheat sowing in case they fail to get Diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser, which is in short supply.

Pointing out that wheat sowing is in full swing in Punjab, Dr A S Sidhu, Head, Department of Soils of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), said triple superphosphate fertiliser is freely avaliable in the state and farmers should not hesitate to use it if DAP is not avaliable.

The phosphorus content in DAP and Triple is the same, Dr Sidhu said, while advising farmers to drill 65 kg, 55 kg and 45 kg Triple per acre in low, medium and high phosphorus status soil respectively.

As per PAU recommendations, full doze of phosphorus and potash and half dose of urea is to be applied at the time of sowing and the remaining urea with first irrigation in wheat. The timely sowing of wheat ensures higher grain yield, Dr Sidhu added.

The farmers should sow wheat at the earliest using triple superphosphate in the absence of DAP, he added.

The fertiliser DAP contains 18 per cent nitrogen and 46 per cent phosphorus, while Triple contains 46 per cent phosphorus only.

When DAP is applied, the nitrogen dose is reduced which is equivalent to 20 kg urea per acre.

In case of triple superphosphate, the nitrogen dose is not reduced. Therefore, if triple superphosphate is to be used, farmers are advised to apply 130 kg, 110 kg and 90 kg urea per acre in fields testing low, medium and high in nitrogen status, respectively.

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