Slow and Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizers: Options for Improving Rice Productivity: A Review

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important food crop not only in Asia but also entire world. Over past several decades, conventional fertilizer application for rice has caused loss of nutrients, which could lead to a series environmental problems such as eutrophication and greenhouse effects. The emergence slow controlled-release fertilizers provides new option more efficient fertilization rice. International Fertilizer Association (IFA) included controlled release (CRFs), (SRFs), sulphur coated urea (SCU), stabilized nitrogen (SNFs), WSFs, liquid NPKs, chelated micronutrients boron their assessment study global market special products. In India, specialty are categorized broadly water soluble fertilizers, neem urea, fortified customized (CFs), micronutrient fertilizers. Controlled-release and/or resin can reduce N losses (e.g. leaching, ammonia volatilization), while increasing availability plant enhance grain yield upto 22.1% These, increase yields by maintaining soil health over time.