How to apply urea for best results?

Urea is a common nitrogen fertilizer that is economical and fast-acting, so it is favored by farmers. So how to apply urea for best results? Let’s learn more about it below.

How to apply urea for best results?

1. Deep application and covering soil

Whether urea is used as base fertilizer or topdressing fertilizer, it should be applied deeply and covered with soil. The appropriate depth of fertilization is 10-12 cm. Because the roots of crops cannot directly absorb urea, it needs to be hydrolyzed by "urease" in the soil to decompose into ammonium carbonate or ammonium bicarbonate so that it can be absorbed by the roots of plants. In addition, deep application and covering with soil can prevent nitrogen from being washed away by rainwater, which is very helpful in improving the fertilizer efficiency of urea.

2. Foliar spraying

(1) Used alone: ​​Since urea is easily soluble in water, it is often used as foliar fertilizer. However, the concentration must be strictly controlled when spraying alone. It is generally appropriate to dilute it 200 times (5 grams to 1 kilogram of water).

(2) Mixed use: 0.3% urea and 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate are commonly used for foliar spraying. It can quickly supplement nutrition for crops, enhance photosynthesis, promote growth and increase yield.

Precautions for using urea

1. Pay attention to the time of fertilization

The conversion rate of urea in the soil is slow, so fertilization should be done in advance. Generally speaking, it is more appropriate to use urea 7-10 days before the peak period of crop fertilizer demand.

2. Avoid hot weather

During the high temperature period in summer, do not apply urea. It should be done between 8-11 am and 2-5 pm to avoid fertilizer damage to crops due to high temperatures.

3. Keep your distance

Because urea is highly hygroscopic, it must be kept at a certain distance from crops when applying it as topdressing.

4. Avoid mixing with alkaline fertilizers

When applying urea as topdressing, avoid mixing it with alkaline fertilizers to avoid reducing the fertilizer efficiency.

5. Water promptly after fertilizing

Watering should be done in time after fertilizing to help the dissolution and absorption of urea. At the same time, it can also reduce the volatilization of urea and the loss of nitrogen, and improve the fertilization effect.

6. Proper storage

Urea easily absorbs moisture and clumps in the air, so urea should be stored in a cool, dry place.

In general, the application of urea is very particular. Pay attention to the correct period and method, so as to effectively improve the yield and quality of crops, while protecting the environment and avoiding fertilizer damage.