What kind of nitrogen is in fertilizer

NBPT is the active ingredient in the Agrotain family of urease-inhibiting products. Urease activity increases as temperature increases, thus hydrolysis is normally completed within 10 days at a temperature of 40 F and within 2 days at a temperature of 85 F. Hydrolysis is also highly correlated with the organic matter, total N and cation exchange capacity CEC of the soil; increasing as any of these factors increase. Agrotain , with the active ingredient NBPT, is an additive for use primarily with urea applied to urea by the retailer and secondarily with urea-ammonium nitrate solutions.

Agrotain Ultra is a more concentrated formulation of Agrotain. Agrotain or Agrotain Ultra use may be considered when urea is broadcast and not incorporated with tillage or irrigation. Research shows that N loss from surface-applied urea can be significant. The amount of loss depends on weather conditions; loss is greatest with warm, windy weather and a moist soil surface.

Agrotain and Agrotain Ultra help prevent volatilization, often for 2 weeks or more, increasing the chances that rainfall will incorporate urea before losses occur.

Eventually, Agrotain and Agrotain Ultra degrade, allowing urea hydrolysis to naturally occur. This is necessary so that plants can take up and use the N from urea. Agrotain and Agrotain Ultra provide no activity against nitrifying bacteria.

Agrotain Plus is an additive specifically for UAN solutions, according to the product label. Thus, it acts against both the volatilization and nitrification processes that lead to N losses from UAN solutions.

However, it does not protect the portion of the solution originally in the nitrate form, i. This product will be discussed in a future publication. This is not surprising; when conditions favor N losses for a period, and an N stabilizer is applied and effective during that period, a large benefit is predictable.

On the other hand, in conditions not conducive to N losses, little advantage would be expected for these products. Therefore, N stabilizers can be considered as "insurance" to help protect against N losses should conditions develop that favor those losses. Regional performance differences for N stabilizers are expected, as soil and climate factors vary greatly across regions of North America.

Soils differ by texture, drainage, organic matter, pH, slope and other variables. Climate differs by temperature extremes and durations; and rainfall amounts and patterns; as well as other variables. Because of these geographical differences, making decisions about the value of N stabilizers in each farming operation is complex. In order to make the best decisions, test results that represent your field and climate should be examined, and local prices for N fertilizers and stabilizers should be used.

Because the risk of N losses is always looming, growers should take appropriate precautions to reduce losses of this important crop nutrient. This can be accomplished by picking an appropriate N source and applying it near the time of crop uptake Timing Nitrogen Applications to Corn , or using an N stabilizer when application timing is farther removed from the period of crop need.

This decision should take into account all factors that influence the risk of N loss for a particular field. These include geographic location; topography; soil type; residue level; form of N fertilizer applied; timing of application relative to crop growth; expected rainfall, temperature and soil moisture levels; and other factors.

Even so, N stabilizers will not be cost effective every year, especially when conditions are not conducive for N losses. However, N stabilizers can provide insurance against the risk of N losses in many susceptible fields. Butzen, S. Nitrogen Application Timing in Corn Production. Crop Insights vol. Pioneer Hi-Bred, Johnston, Iowa. Ruark, M. Advantages and disadvantages of controlled-release fertilizers.

Trenkel, M. Slow- and controlled-release and stabilized fertilizers: an option for enhancing nutrient use efficiency in agriculture. Read and follow all label instructions when using nitrogen inhibitors and urease inhibitors. ST My Account. Go Back. Agronomy Search Our Library. Corn Corn. Soybeans Soybeans. Soybean Soybean. Sales Reps. The risk of loss depends on field and climate conditions, type of fertilizer and whether a stabilizer is used.

Nitrification inhibitors may reduce such losses. Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient that many fertilizers contain, though in varying amounts. Artificial fertilizer manufacturers state the proportion of nitrogen in their products on the package label, but for organic fertilizers, the information isn't so clear. Plants use nitrogen to create their structure and to perform a range of functions.

This chemical element is found in plant tissue, fruit, seeds and grains, and it forms part of chlorophyll, which is what makes plants green and allows them to process light into sugars. Nitrogen is also found in plant roots, where it helps the plant absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Additionally, nitrogen is part of the compounds that regulate plant development and growth. Plants absorb nitrogen from the soil in the form of a chemical compound called nitrate. The three numbers displayed on artificial fertilizer product labels tell the buyer the percentage of each of the three essential plant nutrients that the product contains.

The first number states the percentage of nitrogen ; the second number refers to the amount of phosphorus ; and the third number indicates the percentage of potassium.

If the label on a pound bag of fertilizer displays the numbers , the bag contains 30 pounds of nitrogen, 10 pounds of phosphorus and 20 pounds of potassium. UAN Solutions.

Because UAN solutions contain three forms of nitrogen, they are affected by all three forms of loss. Twenty-five percent is ammonium. The common strategy for ensuring that corn has an adequate supply of nitrogen available during grain fill is to manage the nitrification process by managing the biological environment. This is a combination of managing pH, delaying application, using tillage and employing stabilizers and inhibitors. Corn needs both the ammonium and nitrate form for early development and determining maximum girth and length.

So provide a stable base of nitrogen to get corn through to V Then measure nitrate levels and make a mid-season application to provide the nitrate push needed to efficiently reach your yield potential. Skip to main content. Content ID By Yield Center. Ways we lose nitrogen Denitrification is a biological process impacted by temperature, moisture, pH and more. Read more about Corn.

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