NEEM OIL & NEEM COATED UREA

NEEM OIL & NEEM COATED UREA

The neem coated urea , a slow release fertilizer was included under Schedule- I Part –A of the Fertilizer Control Order.

Neem oil or Margosa oil is botanical oil extracted from kernel of neem tree seed by Cold Pressing or CT Cold Pressing method or Solvent Extraction. Among these methods CT cold pressing yield purest neem oil because solvent is not used for extraction.

Properties of Neem Oil:

Neem Oil or Neem Seed Oil is a Brownish Yellow color Liquid, with smell of Garlic. Neem Oil is slightly soluble in water and has 6.5 to 7.5 pH value, it boils at more than 200 degree Celsius and freeze at 13 degree Celsius.

Uses of Neem Oil:

For Agriculture Use:

Neem Oil is used to manufacture neem oil insecticide because it contains azadirachtin which effects over 600 species of pests including insects, nematodes, fungi and viruses and is completely safe to non target organisms like beneficial predators, honey bees, pollinators, fish, birds, cattle and human beings.

Azadirachtin of neem oil is a famous natural Anti-feedent, growth regulator and ovi-positional repellent for insects, as a major active ingredient which make it a perfect alternative to chemical pesticides.

For Pets Use:

Neem Oil is used as Veterinary Medicines for Pets and Live Stock from ancient time. Ozoneem Oil is used in various diseases, precautions, accidental condition, hygiene and wounds as an ingredient of medicines or alone.

For Human Medicines:

Neem Oil is also used as and in various medicines for human beings. Most common utilities are: Birth Control, Lice Control (in hairs), Piles, Ulcers, Asthma, Skin Disorders, Chronic Diarrhea.

Cosmetics :

Neem Oil is used for preparation of various cosmetic and toiletries. All Purpose Cream, Hair Oils, Tooth Paste, Bathing Soaps, Hair Shampoo, Face Pack, Dog Shampoo

Urea is the major fertilizer used in the world as a nitrogen supplier which is a criitical nutrient for crop growth. Urea contains highest nitrogen content of all solid nitrogenous fertilizers currently available.

Nitrogen use efficiency in rice is hardly 40 %, even under well managed conditions. Fertilizer materials that are better than prilled urea should be promoted to get a higher fertilizer use efficiency. There is a considerable potential to improve the N use efficiency by promoting neem coated urea.

Nitrogen from Urea is released in the soil and water and leached by activity of nitrifying bacteria NItrobactor and Nitrosomonas. These bacterias turn nitrogen in nitrite and then nitrate which are highly mobile in nature when present in soil. By these processes approximate 50% of nitrogen provided by urea is lost.

Solution to this problem of nitrogen loss of urea is to coat the urea with a substance that can prevent bacterial activity of nitrification.

Neem Based Urea Coating Agent

Why to use neem as urea coating agent?
Neem has proven nitrification inhibition properties. This way it slow down the process of nitrogen release from urea. It is the best nitrification inhibiting agent till date and better then sulpher.

Benefits of Neem Coated Urea

• 1. Slow Down the process of nitrification of urea.
• 2. Enhance the yield by 48%.
• 3. Decrease urea requirement, hence save Money.

The nitrogen (N) fertilizer-use efficiency (20–50%) is low in rice fields in India. The neem-oil coated urea can increase N-use efficiency in lowland rice, but the desirable thickness of neem-oil coating onto urea is not known yet. Therefore, field experiments were conducted during kharif (rainy) season years 2004 and 2005 at the Research Farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to know the suitable thickness of neem-oil coating on prilled urea (PU) for increased N-use efficiency and yield. The treatments comprised of twelve combinations of four N sources (PU coated with neem-oil thickness of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg⁻¹ PU) and three N levels (50, 100, and 150 kg N ha⁻¹) plus a no-N control. Prilled urea (PU) refers to the common urea available commercially in prills, which is different from urea super granules. Application of urea coated with neem-oil thickness of 1000 mg kg⁻¹ PU resulted in significantly higher growth, yield parameters, grain yield, N uptake, and efficiency of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) over uncoated PU. Nitrogen application at 122 kg ha⁻¹ was optimum for increased yield of rice. Nitrogen-use efficiency decreased significantly and substantially with each successive increase in levels of N from 50 to 150 kg ha⁻¹.

NEEM COATED UREA: A STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION. MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE: By: Dr. B. N. Vyas - GM, Research & Technical Development, Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Pirojshanagar, Eastern Express Highway, Vikhroli, Mumbai – 400 079 India With limited scope for horizontal expansion in the net cultivable area due to demands of an ever-increasing population, it is essential that highly efficient management practices and modern scientific techniques are adopted to increase agricultural production in India. Efficient water and nutrient management are the key elements of intensive agriculture. At the current use levels of primary nutrients (N, P, K) of 20 million tons, almost two thirds of this quantity is accounted for, by nitrogen alone.  Globally, nitrogenous fertilizers are produced in 72 countries, the total production being 94 million tons in 2002–03 as compared to nearly 50 million tons in 1970.  Forecasts suggest that the consumption of nitrogenous fertilizers is likely to rise to 134 million tons in the next decade . It is worthwhile to note that urea constitutes nearly 80% of the total straight nitrogenous fertilizer consumption in India. In quantity terms nearly more than 20 million tons of urea is used in India currently, and it is safe to presume that urea would continue to maintain its predominant position among nitrogenous fertilizers.  On the other hand, globally, due to use of other nitrogenous fertilizers, namely, liquid ammonia, ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate, the contribution of urea usage is less than half of the total nitrogenous fertilizers. Urea Transformations: Under the environmental conditions encountered in most parts of India, urea after application to soils hydrolyses fairly rapidly to ammonium carbonate, over a maximum period of about a week. The ammoniacal form of nitrogen is subsequently converted to nitrite and then to nitrate by the action of nitrifying bacteria viz. Nitrosomonas sps. and Nitrobacter sps., respectively. The processes of hydrolysis and nitrification of urea fertilizer are to a large extent completed in about 15–20 days under most agroclimatic conditions. In this context, it should be noted that the duration of most cultivated crops extends beyond 90–100 days, and therefore, nitrates formed as a result of the relatively rapid hydrolysis and nitrification of urea being highly soluble, and in excess of the limited quantities required by the crops at their early stages of growth are liable to be leached down the soil profile, beyond the active root zone of crops.  Moreover, under waterlogged conditions nitrates are reduced to elemental nitrogen and nitrous oxide by the action of denitrifying bacteria to meet their oxygen demand.  This leads to the development of nitrogen deficiency and poor crop yields.  In view of this it is most important that fertilizer use efficiency needs to be improved to make fertilizer use economically viable and more attractive. Scientists around the world are concentrating their efforts on regulating the nitrogen supply to crops by reducing the rate of either hydrolysis or nitrification or both, so as to ensure continuous and optimal supply of nitrogen to match the requirements of crops at different stages of growth. A considerable volume of data is available on the potential of the constituents of neem (Azadirachta indica) seeds known as triterpenes as effective nitrification inhibitors. In fact the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in its publication ‘Technology for Rice Production’ for different states has recommended the use of neem cake blended or coated urea. In spite of the encouraging results obtained with the use of urea coated with neem cake, this practice has not attracted the attention of farmers on a large scale because the process of coating urea with neem cake is cumbersome and because neem cake is not readily available at the farm level. Industrial Developments: During late eighties and early nineties, some industries including M/s. Godrej Agrovet Ltd. developed ready to use neem extracts containing neem triterpenes which could be mixed with urea straight away to obtain the neem coated urea (NCU), thus eliminating the use of neem cake and coal tar and other additives. Neem coated urea produced using concentrated extracts were extensively evaluated under large field trials and were found to show great yield improvements. At this stage it was envisaged that neem coated urea could be produced by urea manufacturers, however, urea being controlled under Essential Commodity Act and Fertilizer Control Order, a special permission by concerned Ministry was required to produce and market fortified urea (neem coated urea) fertilizer. Since this exercise was going to take quite sometime, as an interim arrangement, manufacturers started marketing neem based urea coating agents in the market and farmers were advised to mix urea coating agent with urea before application. Currently, more than 20 entrepreneurs sell such neem based urea coating products in the market . Industry Representation:   Since production of neem coated urea at urea manufacturing location was the ultimate solution, the industry continued its efforts with Government of India to seek their approval for the endeavor.  At this stage Neem Foundation also joined the industry to serve the novel cause.  In fact a delegation under the leadership of Dr. R. C. Saxena, Chairman - Neem Foundation, met Mr. Suresh Prabhu, the then Minister of Fertilizers and Chemicals, Government of India with the following demands. (i)    Inclusion of neem coated urea as accepted category of fertilizers in Schedule I of the Fertilizer Control Order. (ii)    Subsidy component available for uncoated urea should also be available for neem coated urea. (iii)    Grant of small premium in price of neem coated urea vis-à-vis uncoated urea in order to take care of the cost of coating agent and technology for coating urea with neem extracts. (iv)    Directing fertilizer factories to coat at least 10% of their production with neem. It is heartening to mention here that due to continuous efforts and perseverance of the Industry and Neem Foundation, Government of India finally on May 12, 2003, issued a notification indicating FCO Amendments to include specifications of neem coated urea to be produced by M/s. National Fertilizers Ltd. (NFL). However, it was clarified that Government of India has decided to permit all the manufacturers who wish to manufacture neem coated urea at their factories. It may be pointed out here that only one out of the four demands listed above have been met. NFL, producer of neem coated urea are absorbing additional costs in their system and do not wish to seek additional selling price for their neem coated urea. It would not be out of place to mention here that NFL produces neem coated urea by using very low quantity of neem oil emulsion, which is primarily aimed at prevention of caking and reduction in losses during storage.  Increase in yield upto 4-5% as claimed by producers (NFL) is considered incidental, whereas on the other hand the product developed by the industry is aimed at improvement in agronomic efficiency as primary objective and reduction in caking and losses during storage being additional advantage. As it has been established for several years, higher agronomic efficiency is attributed to presence of neem triterpenes for which products need to be specifically formulated. A efficacious and stable Neem coating product would certainly require price support from Government of India.    Therefore, it is emphasized here that by granting permission to manufacture NCU, the authorities in India have taken one step in right direction. However much more needs to be done, if we have to really reap the benefit of this wonderful technological innovation. In summary, the advantages of the neem coated urea can be enumerated as follows: 1.    Saving of 10% of the losses of urea would amount to 2 million tons of urea or a reduction in subsidy component to the tune of Rs. 1,200 crores per annum (considering total subsidy on urea to be Rs. 12,000 crores per annum). 2.    Proportional saving in the consumption of naphtha or natural gas. 3.    Increased crop yields due to better nitrogen utilization. 4.    Reduction in environmental pollution of ground water due to leaching of nitrates and gaseous emissions.    5.    Opportunity for entrepreneurs to commercialize local Neem Resources and Development of Small Scale Industries in rural areas.

Press Information Bureau Government of India

21 March 2013
	Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
	USE OF NON-UREA FERTILIZERS
	16:39 IST
	Government policy is to support balanced use of fertilizers to sustain soil health in the country. The following steps are taken for the balanced use of fertilizers: i. Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy, which has been implemented w.e.f. 1.4.2010, promotes competition amongst the fertilizer companies. The fertilizer companies tend to focus on farmers through farm extension services and educate farmers about the modern fertilizer application techniques, soil health and promote soil test based application of soil and crop specific fertilizers, which is necessary for balanced application of fertilizers. ii. Use of customized fertilizers is encouraged with the objective to promote site specific nutrient management so as to achieve maximum fertilizer use efficiency of applied nutrient in a cost effective manner. These fertilizers are multi-nutrient carrier designed to contain macro and micro nutrients and are soil specific and crops specific formulated on the basis of soil testing results. The Government has also allowed the use of subsidized fertilizers for manufacturing mixture and customised fertilizers to promote use of customized fertilizers. iii. Subsidy on sulphur content in the fertilizers is provided. iv. To meet the requirement of micro nutrients, a fixed subsidy is also provided on fortification of fertilizers by Boron and Zinc. Use of Neem Coated Urea is also encouraged. v. Soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (compost, manures, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients is recommended to sustain sound soil health. vi. Soil testing facility is provided to the farmers free of cost or with some nominal fee by State Governments. In this regard soil health cards are issued by the State Governments to farmers. vii. A National Project for Management of Soil Health & Fertility has been launched during 2008-09. Under the project financial assistance is provided to set up new static Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) and new Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories besides strengthening of existing laboratories. viii. Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS), Bhopal under ICAR has been sanctioned a project for preparation of Geo-Referenced Soil Fertility Maps including interlinking of soil fertility status with Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) data to generate site specific recommendations in 19 major States (171 districts). This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Shri Srikant Kumar Jena in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. *** NSK/DB