The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative performance of three nitrification inhibitors (NIs) viz. calcium carbide (CaC 2 ), and plant derivatives of Pongamia glabra Vent. ? -N and NO 3 --N were examined during the study. A second experiment was conducted in a glasshouse using pots to evaluate the response of wheat to these amendments. Results indicated that more than 92 % of the NH 4? initially present had disappeared from the mineral N pool by the end of incubation. Application of NIs i.e., CaC 2 , karanjin, and M. azedarach resulted in a significant reduction in the extent of NH 4? disappearance by 49, 32, and 13 %, respectively. Accumulation of NO 3 --N was much higher in N amended soil 57 % compared to 11 % in N ? CaC 2 , 13 % in N ? karanjin, and 18 % in N ? M. azedarach. Application of NIs significantly increased growth, yield, and N uptake of wheat. The apparent N recovery in N-treated plants was 20 % that was significantly increased to 38, 34, and 37 % with N ? CaC 2 , N ? karanjin, and N ? M. azedarach, respectively. Among the three NIs tested, CaC 2 and karanjin proved highly effective in inhibiting nitrification and retaining NH 4? -N in the mineral pool for a longer period.