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UPSC Prelims 2016 · Agriculture · Seeds, Water and Fertiliser
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
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
The neem coat acts as a nitrification inhibitor, so nitrogen is released slowly and plants use more of it.
The idea
India made 100% of urea neem-coated in 2015. Benefits: better nitrogen use, less leaching and N₂O, and it stops cheap subsidised urea being diverted to industry.
Neem coat → slow release → more N taken up by the crop → less leaching and N₂O
Why the others are wrong
(a) Neem doesn’t boost nitrogen FIXATION; it slows nitrogen LOSS.
(c) “Not at all released” is an absolute — emissions fall, they don’t stop.
(d) Neem-coated urea is not a weedicide.
The trap
(c) is half right — N₂O does fall — but “not at all” makes it false. Beware absolute words.
🔒 Neem-coated urea: slows dissolution (nitrification inhibitor) · better N-use efficiency · stops diversion · 100% since 2015.
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