Lok Sabha Question No. 3315 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Effect of Salt Index on Soil
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar, Shri Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3315 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.08.2025

## Effect of Salt Index on Soil

✝ 3315:SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH:

SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the policy formulated by the Government to ensure that all farmers get adequate quantity/availability of all the fertilizers in the country, especially in rural and deprived areas;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted an inquiry in respect of non-availability of Sulphur coated Urea for the Kharif crop year during the financial year 2025-26 in Maharashtra,  if  so,  the  reasons  therefor,  along  with  the  steps  taken  to  ensure  its supply;
- (c) the details of the fertilizer salt index and its importance in crop production;
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any experiment/study on the effects of Salt Index and Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE) of various fertilizers on soil and Foliar Spray, if so, the outcome thereof;
- (e) whether any training has been provided to the farmers regarding the use of CCE in  agriculture and the fertilizers therein suitable according to it and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the reasons for not providing information on the Salt Index and CCE on the packing of the fertilizers?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a) Following steps are taken by the Government before every cropping season for ensuring timely and adequate availability of fertilizers in the country including rural and deprived areas:
- i. Before the commencement  of  each cropping season, Department of Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  (DA&FW),  in  consultation  with  all  the  State Governments, assesses the state-wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers.

ii. On the basis of requirement projected by DA&FW, D/o Fertilizers allocates adequate  quantities  of  fertilizers  to  States  by  issuing  monthly  supply  plan  and continuously monitors the availability.

iii. The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the country  by  an  on-line  web-based  monitoring  system  called  integrated  Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS);

iv. Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by DA&FW and D/o Fertilizers with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizers as indicated by the State Governments.

(b) The government has introduced Sulphur Coated Urea with the name of " Urea Gold " in the year 2023. At present, two Urea plants namely RCF-Trombay and NFLPanipat are producing Sulphur Coated Urea. The cumulative production of these two units till 15.07.2025 is 30,735.82 MT while the sales stands at 30,632.72 MT. During the  year  2025-26,  RCF  Trombay  has  produced  700  MT  while  NFL  Panipat  has produced 105 MT till 15.07.2025.

Further,  State  Government  of  Maharashtra  has informed  that  no  complaint regarding  non-availability  of  Sulphur  coated  Urea  has  been  received  to  the  State agriculture department and 1,660 MT of Sulphur coated Urea has been supplied by RCF in the State, during the ongoing Kharif 2025 season, till 04.08.2025.

(c) to (f) The salt  index  and  calcium  carbonate  equivalent  (CCE)  of  fertilizers significantly influence both soil health and plant response. Fertilizers with a high salt index can increase soil salinity, reduce water uptake by roots, and cause root burn, particularly in arid soils or when overapplied. In foliar sprays, high salt index materials may lead to leaf scorch or phytotoxicity, especially under hot and dry conditions.

The CCE indicates a fertilizer's liming or acidifying effect on soil pH. Fertilizers with a positive CCE (e.g., calcium nitrate) help neutralize soil acidity, whereas those with a negative CCE (e.g., ammonium sulphate, urea) tend to acidify the soil over time, impacting nutrient availability and microbial activity. Therefore, understanding both the salt index and CCE is essential for selecting appropriate fertilizers, managing application rates, and ensuring balanced nutrient supply without harming soil health or crop productivity-especially in sensitive crops or degraded soils.

ICAR imparts training to the farmers on safe application of fertilizers to avoid any human and crop burns.

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