Urea Types: Prilled and Granular Urea - HANS - HANS Fertilizer

01 Jul.,2024

 

Urea Types: Prilled and Granular Urea - HANS - HANS Fertilizer

Urea is among the most affordable fertilizers that add nitrogen to the soil. Nitrogen is essential for regulating plant growth and development. If the soil lacks nitrogen, urea is added to compensate for the missing nutrients. 

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Urea is available in two types&#; Prilled and Granular. Prilled urea has small particles and is easy to dissolve. Meanwhile, granular urea has relatively larger molecules that dissolve slowly. Both of these have a similar nitrogen content of 46%. The easy storage, less transportation hassle and storage cost makes urea an ideal nitrogen fertilizer.

The choice may depend on the plant&#;s needs, crop size, and application method. In this article, we&#;ll discuss both so you can choose the right one for improving soil fertility. 

Importance of Nitrogen for Plants

Nitrogen ensures plant growth as it supports photosynthesis. It is present in chlorophyll and helps convert the sun&#;s energy, CO2, and water into sugars. This leads to stem and leaf development. Nitrogen is also a crucial part of protein and nucleic acid in the cells. 

When soil lacks nitrogen, the plant will not be able to carry out important functions. The nitrogen deficiency may look like yellow leaves, slow plant growth, and reduced branches. 

This is where urea nitrogen fertilizer can help replenish nitrogen content. Both prilled and granular urea have about 46% nitrogen to fix the deficiency. 

Prills vs. Granules: How Are They Different

We&#;ll discuss the two types of urea below:

Prilled Urea

This type of urea comes in spherical pellet form that dissolves readily in water. It may be used in combination with other fertilizers, such as potash. The application has to be accurate as prilled pellets dissolve quickly, adding to the soil. 

Prilled urea particles also have a bigger surface as they are broken into smaller pieces. Many farmers choose prilled urea because of its resistance to rain and availability even after rain. Some crops may only have to be fertilized once with prilled urea&#;s high staying power. 

Granular Urea

Granular urea has an irregular structure with bigger particles than the prilled type. The strong and large particles are easy to disperse in the soil. Granular urea is ideal as a slow-release fertilizer for plants. 

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You may also use spreading equipment for application. Granular urea does not break down easily, making it easy to transport and store. It may be combined with phosphate and potash to serve unique plant needs.

Fertilizer urea

If properly applied, urea and fertilizers containing urea are excellent sources of nitrogen for crop production.

Chemical reactions

After application to the soil, urea undergoes chemical changes and ammonium (NH4 +) ions form. Soil moisture determines how rapidly this conversion takes place.

When an urea particle dissolves, the area around it becomes a zone of high pH and ammonia concentration. This zone can be quite toxic for a few hours. The free ammonia that has formed can kill the seed and seedling roots within this zone.

Fortunately, this toxic zone becomes neutralized in most soils as the ammonia converts to ammonium. Usually it's just a few days before plants can effectively use the nitrogen.

Although urea imparts an alkaline reaction when first applied to the soil, the net effect is to produce an acid reaction.

How and how much to apply

Urea or materials containing urea should, in general, be broadcast and immediately incorporated into the soil.

If applying urea-based fertilizer in a band, separate it from the seed by at least 2 inches of soil. Under no circumstances should urea or urea-based fertilizer be seed-placed with corn.

With small grains, you can generally apply 10 pounds of nitrogen as urea with the grain drill at seeding time, even under dry conditions. Under good moisture conditions, you can apply 20 pounds of nitrogen as urea with the grain drill.

Research findings

Research from North Dakota State University indicates that, under dry conditions, urea can reduce wheat stands more than 50 percent (Table 5). This was for urea applied with a grain drill in a 6-inch spacing, at the rate of more than 20 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

University of Wisconsin research indicates that seed-placed urea with corn, even at low rates of nitrogen, is very toxic to the seed and greatly reduces yields (Table 6). However, when urea was side-placed as a 2-by-2-inch starter, researchers noted little, if any, damage (Table 7).

In Minnesota, good crop production usually requires an application of more than 20 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Farmers can avoid damage from urea by broadcasting most of the urea nitrogen fertilizer ahead of seeding. Data in Table 8 indicate that urea broadcast prior to seeding is equal to or more effective than similar ammonium nitrate treatments.

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