How prilled urea works as a nitrogen source, how to apply it, and how to reduce nitrogen loss, from a US-based distributor.
Urea is the most concentrated dry nitrogen fertilizer at about 46% nitrogen. In soil it converts to ammonium and then nitrate, feeding the crop. Applied well, incorporated or watered in, it is an efficient, flexible nitrogen source; left on the surface in warm, moist conditions it can lose nitrogen as ammonia, so incorporation or a urease inhibitor helps.
Urea is the most concentrated dry nitrogen fertilizer at about 46% N. Once applied and exposed to soil moisture, the enzyme urease converts urea to ammonium, which plants take up and which soil bacteria then convert to nitrate. This makes urea a flexible source of both ammonium and nitrate nutrition.
Urea left on the soil surface can lose nitrogen to the air as ammonia gas, especially in warm, moist, high-pH conditions. Losses are reduced by incorporating the urea, watering it in within a day or two, or using a urease inhibitor. Planning applications ahead of rain or irrigation is a simple, effective safeguard.
Prilled urea's small, uniform prills dissolve quickly and blend evenly, which makes it convenient for bulk blends, fertigation, and foliar programs. See our prilled urea page for typical specifications.
Urea contains about 46% nitrogen, the highest nitrogen content of any common solid fertilizer.
Incorporate it into the soil, water it in within a day or two, or apply ahead of rain or irrigation. A urease inhibitor can further reduce ammonia volatilization from surface applications.
Yes. Low-biuret urea dissolves readily and is used in dilute foliar sprays and in fertigation. Biuret is kept low (commonly 1.0% max) because it can harm foliage at higher levels.
Prilled urea's small, uniform prills dissolve quickly and blend evenly, which suits bulk blends, solutions, and foliar use. Stratus supplies prilled urea as standard.
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