Types of Fertilizers Used in Agriculture in India 2026: Uses, Benefits, Prices and Subsidy Rates

Choosing the right fertilizer can make a significant difference to crop growth, soil health, farming costs and final yield. Whether a farmer grows wheat, paddy, maize, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, fruits or vegetables, providing the right nutrients at the right time is essential for healthy crop development. However, using more fertilizer does not always mean achieving a better harvest.

In India, farmers use several types of fertilizers, including chemical fertilizers such as urea, Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP) and NPK, along with organic manure, biofertilizers and micronutrient products. Each serves a different purpose, from supporting leafy growth and root development to improving fruit quality and correcting nutrient deficiencies.

The Government of India also supports fertilizer affordability through the Urea Subsidy Scheme and the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for notified phosphatic and potassic fertilizers. These measures play an important role in making essential crop nutrients more accessible to farmers.

But which fertilizer is suitable for which crop, how do different fertilizer grades work, and what should farmers know about the 2026 subsidy framework? Here is a detailed guide to the major types of fertilizers used in Indian agriculture, their benefits, applications and selection.

Also Read: Greenhouse Farming vs Traditional Farming: Which Is More Profitable for Farmers in India 2026?

What Are Fertilizers and Why Are They Important?

Fertilizers are substances applied to soil or plants to supply essential nutrients required for growth. Although soil naturally contains nutrients, repeated cultivation, crop removal, erosion and other factors can reduce their availability.

The three primary nutrients required in relatively large quantities are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Plants also need secondary nutrients such as sulphur, calcium and magnesium, along with smaller quantities of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, boron and manganese.

Nitrogen supports leafy and vegetative growth, phosphorus helps root development and reproductive growth, while potassium supports water regulation, plant strength, grain filling and crop quality. A balanced nutrient supply helps crops use water and other resources more efficiently.

Major Types of Fertilizers Used in Indian Agriculture

Fertilizers can be classified into chemical or mineral fertilizers, organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, water-soluble fertilizers and micronutrient fertilizers.

1. Chemical Fertilizers

Chemical or mineral fertilizers provide nutrients in concentrated and measurable quantities. They are widely used in Indian farming because they help meet crop nutrient requirements efficiently when applied at recommended rates.

• Urea: Urea is one of India's most widely used nitrogen fertilizers and contains 46% nitrogen. It supports vegetative growth and is commonly used for crops such as wheat, paddy and maize. Depending on the crop and recommendation, farmers may apply it as a basal dose or in split applications during growth. Incorporation into soil or suitable irrigation after application can help reduce nitrogen losses.

• Diammonium Phosphate (DAP): DAP is a concentrated complex fertilizer commonly labelled 18-46-0, containing 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus expressed as P₂O₅. It supports early root development and is widely used for cereals, pulses, oilseeds and other crops where phosphorus is required.

• Single Super Phosphate (SSP): SSP typically contains around 16% P₂O₅ and also supplies sulphur and calcium. It can be useful for crops with sulphur requirements, particularly oilseeds and pulses, when soil conditions indicate a need.

• Muriate of Potash (MOP): MOP, or potassium chloride, generally contains about 60% K₂O. Potassium helps regulate water movement in plants and supports stalk strength, grain filling, fruit quality and stress tolerance.

• Ammonium sulphate: This fertilizer supplies nitrogen and sulphur. It can be useful for sulphur-responsive crops when recommended according to soil conditions.

• Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN): CAN supplies nitrogen and calcium and may be suitable for specific soil and crop requirements.

• Neem-coated urea: This is neem-coated urea marketed in India. Neem coating is intended to help regulate nitrogen availability and reduce nitrogen losses under appropriate application conditions.

2. Complex and NPK Fertilizers

Complex fertilizers contain two or more primary nutrients chemically combined in each granule. Mixed fertilizers, by contrast, are produced by physically blending different fertilizer materials.

NPK fertilizers supply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in specified proportions, while NPKS grades also contain sulphur. They are useful when crops require a combination of nutrients rather than a single nutrient source.

Common fertilizer grades include:

• 12-32-16: A phosphorus-rich NPK grade.

• 10-26-26: Supplies phosphorus and potassium alongside nitrogen.

• 19-19-19: Provides equal proportions of the three primary nutrients.

• 20-20-0: Supplies nitrogen and phosphorus.

• 13-0-45: A potassium-rich grade commonly used for specific crop requirements.

The numbers indicate the percentage composition of nitrogen (N), phosphate expressed as P₂O₅, and potash expressed as K₂O, respectively.

3. Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are important for maintaining soil structure, organic carbon, microbial activity and water-holding capacity. They generally release nutrients more slowly than concentrated chemical fertilizers.

Major examples include farmyard manure (FYM), compost, vermicompost, green manure and compost made from crop residues. Green manure crops such as dhaincha, sunn hemp and cowpea can be incorporated into the soil before the main crop.

Composting agricultural residues can also convert straw and stalks into useful organic matter instead of burning them. Properly processed municipal organic compost may be used where it meets applicable quality and contamination standards.

Organic fertilizers are valuable components of integrated nutrient management, but their nutrient content can vary. Farmers should account for this variability when planning fertilizer applications.

4. Biofertilizers

Biofertilizers contain beneficial microorganisms that help fix atmospheric nitrogen or make nutrients in the soil more accessible to plants. They supplement recommended fertilizer programmes rather than automatically replacing chemical fertilizers.

For legumes, a suitable Rhizobium inoculant can contribute substantially to nitrogen supply. The appropriate strain must match the crop, and results depend on soil conditions and crop management.

Farmers should purchase biofertilizers from reliable suppliers, check expiry dates and follow storage instructions. Compatibility with pesticides and fungicides should also be checked before mixing products.

5. Micronutrient Fertilizers

Micronutrients are needed in small quantities but remain essential for enzyme activity, chlorophyll formation, pollination and crop quality.

Micronutrient applications should be based on soil testing, crop diagnosis or expert recommendations. Unnecessary application can increase costs and may cause nutrient toxicity.

Which Fertilizer Is Best for Different Crops?

There is no single fertilizer that is best for every crop. The right choice depends on soil fertility, crop variety, growth stage, irrigation, previous fertilizer applications and the expected yield.

The best starting point is a soil test. It helps farmers identify nutrient deficiencies and avoid spending money on nutrients that are already available in sufficient quantities.

Fertilizer Subsidy in India 2026: Urea, DAP and NPK

The Government of India follows separate subsidy arrangements for urea and notified phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers. Under the Urea Subsidy Scheme, the government reimburses the eligible difference between the delivered cost and the controlled statutory sale price. DAP, MOP, SSP, TSP and notified NPK/NPKS grades are covered under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy scheme, which links subsidy calculations to nutrient composition.

Kharif 2026 NBS rates

The Union Cabinet approved the following nutrient-based subsidy rates for the Kharif 2026 season, applicable from 1 April to 30 September 2026. These are subsidy rates per kilogram of nutrient, not retail prices per fertilizer bag.

The tentative budgetary requirement for the Kharif 2026 NBS scheme was approximately ₹41,533.81 crore, around ₹4,317 crore higher than the Kharif 2025 requirement.

For Kharif 2026, the government also announced additional support of ₹3,500 per metric tonne for DAP, beyond the NBS subsidy, to help maintain affordability. The announced supported retail price was ₹1,350 per 50 kg bag. 

These Kharif rates ended on 30 September 2026. Farmers should check the applicable Rabi 2026-27 notifications and current retail prices before purchasing fertilizers for the new season.

Fertilizer Consumption in India in 2026

According to the Government of India's reported figures, combined consumption of urea, DAP, MOP and NPKS during Kharif 2026, from 1 April to 14 July, stood at 151.74 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), compared with 157.05 LMT during the corresponding period of Kharif 2025.

This underlines the importance of managing fertilizer use according to actual crop requirements rather than relying only on established purchasing habits.

Important Precautions When Applying Fertilizers

Farmers can improve nutrient efficiency and manage input costs by following a few basic practices:

• Avoid excessive fertilizer application: More fertilizer does not necessarily mean higher yields.

• Apply urea correctly: Incorporate it into soil or coordinate application with suitable irrigation to limit nitrogen losses.

• Avoid unnecessary DAP: Excess phosphorus can increase costs and interfere with the availability of certain micronutrients.

• Choose potash carefully: SOP may be preferable to MOP for chloride-sensitive crops where recommended.

• Follow soil-test recommendations: Nutrient requirements differ across crops, states and soil types.

• Handle biofertilizers correctly: Check expiry dates, storage requirements and compatibility with other agricultural inputs.

• Use water-soluble fertilizers appropriately: Select products suitable for the irrigation system and follow recommended concentrations.

• Maintain soil health: Combine chemical fertilizers with suitable organic materials where practical.

Also Read: Top Government Schemes for Farmers in India 2026: Benefits, Eligibility and Latest Updates

CMV360 Says

Understanding the different types of fertilizers used in Indian agriculture can help farmers make better decisions about crop nutrition, soil health and input costs. Urea, DAP, MOP and NPK fertilizers supply essential nutrients, while organic fertilizers support soil quality, biofertilizers improve nutrient availability and micronutrient products correct specific deficiencies.

The most effective fertilizer strategy is not about choosing the costliest brand or applying the largest quantity. It is about matching the right nutrient, dose, timing and application method to the crop and soil. With soil testing, balanced nutrient management and awareness of applicable government subsidies, farmers can use fertilizers more efficiently and support sustainable agricultural productivity.