Mineral
DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) ڈی اے پی
The standard basal phosphorus source — with a nitrogen bonus.
N 18%P₂O₅ 46%K₂O 0%
What it is
DAP supplies 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphate (P₂O₅). It is the workhorse phosphorus fertilizer for field crops because phosphorus is immobile in soil: it must be placed near the seed/root zone at sowing time. The 18% nitrogen it carries counts toward the crop's total nitrogen requirement.
Benefits
- Concentrated phosphorus for root development and early vigor
- Its nitrogen content reduces the urea needed later
- Granular and easy to band-place at sowing
Precautions
- Apply at sowing — top-dressed phosphorus barely reaches roots
- Keep granules slightly away from direct seed contact in dry soils
- Account for its nitrogen when calculating urea (the calculator does this automatically)
Application guidance
Band or broadcast and incorporate at sowing time as the full phosphorus dose. In the standard calculation, DAP is allocated first for phosphorus, then urea covers the remaining nitrogen.
Common questions about DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate)
What is DAP fertilizer?
DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) is a mineral fertilizer supplying 18% nitrogen and 46% P₂O₅ — the standard basal phosphorus source at sowing, with a nitrogen bonus that helps young crops establish.
DAP vs urea — which is better?
Neither is better on its own: DAP supplies phosphorus with some nitrogen, while urea supplies nitrogen only. The usual practice is DAP as the basal dose at sowing and urea as a nitrogen top-dress later in the season. Use the dose calculator to work out the right amount of each for your crop.
What is the DAP dose per acre?
The right DAP dose depends on your crop and soil, so there is no single figure — enter your crop in the dose calculator for an exact recommendation. DAP is applied as a basal dose, placed in the seedbed at or before sowing.