Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)

WHY IN NEWS?

• Recently, the government has increased the subsidy to 140% on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser in order to retain the selling price for farmers at the current level.
• Recently, the international prices of phosphoric acid, ammonia etc. used in DAP have gone up by 60% to 70%.

 About:

• DAP is the second most commonly used fertiliser in India after urea.
• Farmers normally apply this fertiliser just before or at the beginning of sowing, as it is high in phosphorus (P) that stimulates root development.
• DAP (46% P, 18% Nitrogen) is the preferred source of Phosphorus for farmers. This is similar to urea, which is their preferred nitrogenous fertiliser containing 46% N.