In order to increase N use efficiency of transplanted rice in vertisol, a field experiment with medium duration rice. variety “Mahamaya” was conducted with Soil: FYM conditioned and neem based products coated urea during kharif 1997. The application of Soil: FYM: Urea (1:3:1) 2/3 as basal and remaining 1/3 at panicle initiation stage of rice produced the maximum grain yield (47.78 q/ha) and N use efficiency (30.21 kg grain/kg N), which was significantly superior than prilled urea (PU), best split and PU coated with neem based products (Nimin, Nimico, Neem sona) and applied whole amount as basal. Urea coated with neem based products and applied 2/3 as basal and remaining 1/3 at PI stage found to be equally effective as Soil: FYM: Urea (1:3:1) for grain yield of rice. Urea coated with neem based products and applied either 2/3 as basal and remaining 1/3 at PI stage or whole amount as basal, although produced similar grain yield, but N use efficiency was higher when it was applied 2/3 as basal and 1/3 at PI stage.
