Accessing Role of Urea Briquettes Fertilizer for Enhancing Nitogen Use Efficiency and Crop Productivity

Enhancing nitrogen efficiency in lowland rice cultivation while mitigating environmental impacts is imperative. Traditional urea application methods lead to significant nitrogen losses. Urea briquettes offer a solution by gradually releasing nitrogen in the ammonium form, minimizing losses through leaching, volatilization, and denitrification. Field trials demonstrate their superiority over prilled urea, with higher yields and increased nitrogen uptake. Binding agents like neem and karanj oils enhance briquette strength, allowing for mechanical applicator use. Utilizing local industrial wastes as filler materials improves briquette quality. To address adoption barriers, National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack has developed and evaluated five mechanical applicators. These include continuous and non-continuous types, each designed for specific application scenarios. Extensive testing assessed their performance in terms of speed, capacity, and placement uniformity. The development of user-friendly, cost-effective applicators is a critical step towards wider adoption of urea briquettes. These innovations streamline the labor-intensive application process and cater to the needs of smallholder farmers. Future research should focus on refining applicator designs for varied soil conditions and crop stages. Additionally, optimizing briquette formulations based on local resources can further enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Overall, urea briquettes coupled with efficient applicators represent a promising approach for sustainable rice cultivation. By reducing nitrogen losses and improving efficiency, they contribute to higher yields and environmental preservation. Continued efforts in research, development, and promotion are essential to realize the full potential of this technology and ensure its widespread adoption among farmers.