🌱 Introduction
Kharif season (June to October) is a crucial time for Indian agriculture. Major crops like paddy, maize, soybean, cotton, and pulses are sown during this monsoon-fed period. To ensure a healthy crop yield, choosing the right fertilizer combinations—both organic and chemical—is vital.
In this blog, we share the best fertilizer combinations for top Kharif crops in 2025, based on soil requirements, crop needs, and government recommendations.
📊 Importance of Balanced Fertilizer Application
Using the correct fertilizer:
Boosts plant growth and productivity
Improves soil health and structure
Prevents nutrient deficiency
Enhances resistance to pests and diseases
🌾 Best Fertilizer Combinations for Major Kharif Crops in India
1️⃣ Paddy (Rice)
✅ Ideal NPK Ratio: 80:40:40 kg/acre
🧪 Recommended Combination:
Basal Dose:
25 kg Urea
50 kg DAP
20 kg MOP
Top Dressing (2 splits):
Remaining Urea in 2 stages (25–30 DAS and 50 DAS)
🌿 Organic Add-ons:
Vermicompost – 1 ton/acre
Azospirillum biofertilizer – 2 kg/acre
Neem-coated urea for slow nitrogen release
2️⃣ Maize (Corn)
✅ Ideal NPK Ratio: 120:60:40 kg/acre
🧪 Recommended Combination:
Basal Dose:
60 kg Urea
50 kg DAP
20 kg MOP
Top Dressing:
Remaining 60 kg Urea (split into 2 applications)
🌿 Organic Add-ons:
FYM (Farmyard Manure) – 2 tons/acre
Trichoderma + PSB (Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria)
3️⃣ Soybean
✅ Ideal NPK Ratio: 30:60:30 kg/acre
🧪 Recommended Combination:
DAP: 100 kg/acre (basal application)
MOP: 20 kg/acre
Use Rhizobium and PSB culture for nitrogen fixation
🌿 Organic Add-ons:
Vermicompost – 500 kg/acre
Gypsum – 100 kg/acre (improves nodulation)
4️⃣ Cotton
✅ Ideal NPK Ratio: 100:50:50 kg/acre
🧪 Recommended Combination:
Basal Dose:
60 kg Urea
50 kg DAP
25 kg MOP
Top Dressing:
Remaining Urea & MOP in two equal splits (at 30 & 60 DAS)
🌿 Organic Add-ons:
Neem Cake – 100 kg/acre (pest control + soil fertility)
ZnSO₄ – 10 kg/acre (Zinc deficiency correction)
5️⃣ Pulses (Moong, Urd, Arhar)
✅ Ideal NPK Ratio: 20:40:20 kg/acre
🧪 Recommended Combination:
Basal Dose:
50 kg DAP
10 kg MOP
Rhizobium + PSB for seed treatment (crucial for N-fixation)
🌿 Organic Add-ons:
Vermicompost – 500 kg/acre
Foliar Spray: 2% DAP at flowering for better pod setting
🌿 Micronutrients to Include in Kharif 2025
Even with a proper NPK schedule, farmers must manage micronutrient deficiencies:
| Nutrient | Crop Affected Most | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc | Paddy, Maize | ZnSO₄ – 10 kg/acre |
| Iron | Soybean, Pulses | FeSO₄ – 10 kg/acre |
| Boron | Cotton, Vegetables | Borax – 5 kg/acre |
| Sulphur | All oilseeds | Gypsum/Bentonite Sulphur |
💧 Application Methods for Better Efficiency
🌱 Fertigation: Apply water-soluble fertilizers through drip irrigation
🎯 Foliar Spray: Use 1%–2% nutrient solution at vegetative and flowering stages
🧪 Split Dosing: Apply urea in 2–3 splits to reduce leaching
📊 Precision Farming Tools: Use soil moisture sensors and nutrient meters
🏛️ Government Fertilizer Support (2025)
| Scheme | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Soil Health Card Yojana | Custom fertilizer recommendation |
| Subsidy on Neem Coated Urea | Reduce nitrogen loss, promote uptake |
| PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi | Cash support for buying inputs |
| FPO Input Supply Centers | Group buying discounts |
📝 Conclusion
In 2025, balanced fertilizer application is the backbone of successful Kharif farming in India. Whether you’re growing paddy, maize, pulses, or cotton, use a combination of:
✅ Recommended NPK ratio
✅ Organic amendments
✅ Micronutrient support
✅ Precision application methods
🧠 Smart fertilizer use = Higher yield + Healthy soil + More profit 💰