International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Anant Kumar, Rashmee Yadav, Brij Vikas, Ankur Jha and Indra Pal Singh

abstract
Reducing the effect of heavy doses of nitrogenous fertilizer through use of slow-release N fertilizer. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh conducted an On-Farm Trial on Wheat crop at to reduce the heavy doses of nitrogenous fertilizer (Urea) by use of Neem coated urea fertilizer it has been coated Urea (1 Basal+ split doses), there is an increase in net return from Rs. 44039 (Farmers Practice) to Rs. 611141 (Demonstration) due to increase in grain yield from 47.48 Q/ha to 58.6 Q/ha. The B:C Ratio of 2:51:1.0 has been observed in the On Farm Trial plot. To increase crop profitability, enhance food security and save the money in the central Plain region enabling approaches are needed to effectively communicate the benefits of balanced nutrient use practices to farmers. Unbalanced fertilizer use (both over-dose and under-dose) is commonly reported, and is a major cause of yield gaps and food insecurity especially where agriculture is based on small holder farms for example, estimated average yield losses because of K-omission were around 0.62, 0.72 and 0.70 t ha^-1 for Paddy, Wheat and Maize, respectively in farmers’ fields in India. The application of balanced nutrient can increase yield of Mustard by 50%, Potato by 34–38% and rice by 17–23% compared with farmers’ yield in Bangladesh. On the other hand, overuse of nutrients relative to crop requirements, especially N and P, causes low nutrient use efficiency, and negative environmental impacts such as increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and groundwater contamination. Still, it remains unclear how closely farmers in the EGP follow recommended fertilizer rates especially under diverse rice-based cropping patterns.