Digital agriculture could transform nitrogen management in India’s rice systems
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India has the world’s largest rice-growing area, but more fertilizer does not necessarily mean better results. Nitrogen-use efficiency has fallen from nearly 50% to about 42%, increasing costs and environmental impacts. To address this, IRRI is using digital soil mapping, sensors, drones, and satellite imagery to help farmers apply fertilizer based on what their fields actually need. One key technique is urea deep placement (UDP), which places fertilizer closer to rice roots, helping reduce nitrogen loss and improve fertilizer efficiency. The results show a simple idea with big potential: smarter fertilizer use can mean less waste and better yields.
Content adapted from Rice Today | Image reproduced from Rice Today
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India has the world’s largest rice-growing area, but more fertilizer does not necessarily mean better results. Nitrogen-use efficiency has fallen from nearly 50% to about 42%, increasing costs and env
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