Explanation
- A
Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms
Neem oil increases biological nitrogen fixation. Promotion of neem-coated urea is not primarily a Rhizobium-boost story. This letter is not the key.
- B
Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
Slower dissolution of urea. Neem coating inhibits soil urease somewhat and slows nitrogen release, so more nitrogen stays for the crop and less is lost as ammonia or nitrate. That stored letter is the official key.
- C
Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields
No nitrous oxide at all from fields. Neem coating can cut some N2O, but it does not zero greenhouse-gas release from cropland. The absolute claim is false.
- D
It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops
Weedicide plus fertiliser. Neem-coated urea is still a nitrogen fertiliser with a coating, not a registered herbicide mix for particular crops. This letter is not the key.
Summary. Official key is (b) neem coating slows urea dissolution in the soil. That is why GOI mandated neem-coated urea: better nitrogen-use efficiency and less diversion. It is not a fixation booster, a zero-N2O guarantee or a weedicide. Honour the stored letter (b).
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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