UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 77
Why does the Government of India promote the use of 'Neem-coated Urea' in agriculture?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: Neem coating slows urea conversion and nitrogen loss in soil by inhibiting nitrification, improving fertiliser-use efficiency and reducing diversion to non-agricultural uses.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - It does not simply increase free-living microbial nitrogen fixation as claimed.
B: Correct - Correct-the coating slows nitrogen release/transformation and improves crop utilisation.
C: Incorrect - Nitrous oxide emissions may decrease but are not reduced to absolutely zero.
D: Incorrect - Neem-coated urea is a nitrogen fertiliser formulation, not a crop-selective herbicide.