Why is my fertiliser not dissolving and showing no effect after I apply it?

Most granular fertilisers need soil moisture to dissolve and move to the roots. If you spread them on dry soil with no irrigation or rain to follow, the granules simply sit on top, do nothing for the crop, and some nitrogen sources even lose part of their value to the air. The fix is straightforward: apply fertiliser when there is moisture in the soil, or right before an irrigation or expected rain, so the water dissolves the granules and carries the nutrients down to the root zone. Lightly working the fertiliser into moist soil also helps. Phosphorus from sources like DAP needs to be placed near the roots, not left on a dry surface, to show effect. Also remember that some nutrient responses take time and depend on the crop stage, so do not expect overnight greening. Time your applications with your irrigation schedule, follow your Soil Health Card or soil test and KVK advice for the dose, and do not over-apply.