Impact of neem coated urea on rice yield and nutrient use efficiency

Rice is the most important food crop of the developing world and the staple food for more than 60% of the Indian population. Among the cereals, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the major source of calories for 40 per cent of the world population. On the basis of experimental findings, it can be concluded in the soil with highest nitrogen availability for achieving maximum yield and nitrogen use efficiency application of25% N through neem coated urea as basal, 50% at maximum tillering and 25% panicle initiation stage respectively, is best option. Besides these improving growth attributes, yield attributes and crop yield, it also improves the soil health.