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Usage of phosphate-rich organic manure (PROM) as a substitute for di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) in alkaline soils is necessary for saving the huge subsidy of ₹35,000 crore being spent on DAP and single super phosphate (SSP) fertilizers now, according to an expert.
Using rock phosphate and organic manure to make PROM is quite effective and beneficial as rock phosphate is not water soluble and is retained by the soil.
After use for one crop, because of its residual effect it can be used for the second crop too thereby serving two seasons and is doubly efficient, says DMR Sekhar, collaborator of Xanthate Technologies.
On the other hand, because of its water solubility DAP dissolves in water, is washed away or percolates into the ground. Only 30 per cent of DAP applied as fertilizer is utilised by the plant and hence its use efficiency is 30 per cent and 70 per cent is wasted, said Sekhar, a mineral engineer, who authored a paper along with NC Aery in Current Science about 15 years ago.
The research was conducted at ML Sukhadia University in Udaipur.
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