Mineral
Urea یوریا
The most concentrated nitrogen fertilizer in common use.
N 46%P₂O₅ 0%K₂O 0%
What it is
Urea carries 46% nitrogen — the highest N concentration of any common solid fertilizer. Plants take up its nitrogen as ammonium and then nitrate after soil microbes convert it. Because the nitrogen is highly soluble, it is normally split into two or three applications rather than applied all at once.
Benefits
- Highest nitrogen per kilogram, so less product to transport and handle
- Suitable for basal and top-dressing applications
- Works across cereals, cotton, sugarcane, maize and vegetables
Precautions
- Nitrogen can volatilize as ammonia if urea sits on the ground surface — on hot, windy days losses start within hours, so irrigate or incorporate within a day of application
- Avoid mixing with superphosphate in the same application heap for long storage
- Do not exceed the recommended dose: excess nitrogen causes lodging and delays maturity
Application guidance
Apply as per the calculated dose, split into basal + 1–2 top-dressings at active growth stages (e.g. wheat: sowing, crown-root initiation ~21 days, flowering). Broadcast evenly and irrigate lightly afterwards where possible.
Common questions about Urea
How long does urea last in soil?
Urea converts to plant-available ammonium within about 2–4 days, then to nitrate over the following 2–4 weeks depending on soil temperature and moisture. In practical terms, one urea application feeds the crop for roughly 4–6 weeks — which is why nitrogen is usually split into 2–3 applications during the season.
Urea vs NPK — what's the difference?
Urea supplies nitrogen only (46% N), while an NPK fertilizer supplies nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium together — for example, NPK 19-19-19 contains 19% of each. If only nitrogen is short, urea alone is enough; if all three are needed, use an NPK or a combination of single fertilizers.