SSP vs DAP for sulphur supply, phosphorus content difference, cost per unit, when SSP makes sense.
Is single super phosphate (SSP) better than DAP when my soil also needs sulphur?
YYashwant Patil6mo ago · 160 views
4 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓6mo ago
SSP and DAP both supply phosphorus, but they differ usefully. DAP is concentrated (18 percent N, 46 percent P2O5) and adds nitrogen, while SSP is lower in phosphorus (16 percent P2O5) but also supplies sulphur (around 11 percent) and calcium, which DAP does not. If your soil test shows sulphur deficiency, as is common for mustard, groundnut, and pulses, SSP is often the smarter basal choice because it covers phosphorus and sulphur together, and you can meet nitrogen separately with urea. On soils where sulphur is adequate and you want concentrated P with some N, DAP is fine. Compare cost per unit of nutrient too. Decide based on your Soil Health Card sulphur status and your KVK, and do not over apply.
RRamprasad Taywade6mo ago
For mustard I switched to SSP for the phosphorus and the sulphur came free with it, so I dropped the separate gypsum. The oil crops really respond to sulphur and the pale top leaves I used to see went away. For wheat though I still use DAP since sulphur is less of an issue there.
MMadhukar Ingle5mo ago
Remember SSP is bulkier because it is lower in phosphorus, so you carry and spread more bags than with DAP for the same P. On a far field that handling cost adds up. I still find it worth it where I need the sulphur, but factor in the extra bags when you compare the price.
SShrihari Deshpande4mo ago
Buy SSP only from a reputed dealer because it is one of the more adulterated fertilisers around here. Genuine SSP is greyish granules that do not turn to fine powder easily. I had a cheap lot once that was mostly filler and the crop showed no phosphorus response. Take a proper bill.