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Linear and exponential trend equations were estimated to work out trends and growth rates in fertiliser consumption. The coefficient of variation and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to see the disparities in fertiliser consumption across different states. A composite analysis of factors affecting fertiliser consumption and growth in these factors was done to identify the possible causes of these disparities.

The consumption of individual nutrients as well as total nutrients per hectare of both net cultivated and gross cropped areas was found to have significantly increased in most of the states during the period. The fertiliser consumption, in general, was found to have increased at a much faster rate above all India average, in the states of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. It was found to have increased at a much slower rate, below all India average, in the states of Assam, Kerala, Tamilnadu and Rajasthan.