Differentiate between Straight, Complex and Mixed Fertilizers. Briefly explain the use of various chemical fertilizers in Indian Agriculture.

Hint: Straight fertilizers supply only one primary plant nutrient, either N or P or K. Example Ammonium Sulphate (AS), Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN), Ammonium Chloride and Urea. Complex fertilizers provide two or three primary nutrients in which nutrients of at least two are in chemical combination. Example Diaammonium Phosphate. Mixed fertilizers are physical mixtures of the straight fertilizers. Complex and mixed fertilizers are considered ergonomically better.
Use of various fertilizers in Indian Agriculture
Key Chemical Fertilizers used in India include Single Supre Phosphate SSP, Ammonium Sulphate AS, Urea, Ammonium chloride, Calcium ammonium nitrate CAN, Diammonium Phosphate DAP and other NPK complex fertilizers. You may discuss the distortion in NPK ratio in your answer.

Topics: GS-III: Issues Related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices