Liquid Urea: Benefits, Best Practices, and Enhancing Plant Growth with Additives
Traditionally in granular form
But dissolving UREA in water for liquid application is gaining popularity, and why you should do it too.
Urea nitrogen is one of the most widely used nitrogen fertilizers in both pastoral and cropping systems. Traditionally applied in granular form, dissolving urea in water for liquid application is gaining popularity. This method not only enhances nitrogen use efficiency but also reduces nitrogen loss. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of using liquid urea, best practices for application, and how to incorporate growth enhancers such as gibberellic acid, triacontanol, and other plant nutrients.
Why Apply Urea as a Liquid?
Switching to liquid urea offers several distinct advantages over traditional granular urea application, making it an ideal choice for many farmers:
Enhanced Nitrogen Efficiency – Liquid urea enables better and quicker absorption by plants, reducing nitrogen losses through volatilization and leaching, which is particularly beneficial for both pasture fertilization and crop nutrition.
Reduced Ammonia Volatilization – Granular urea can release nitrogen into the atmosphere, especially under hot and dry conditions. Liquid urea minimizes this risk, particularly when used with urease inhibitors.
Even Distribution – Liquid urea provides uniform application, ensuring consistent plant growth and optimized nutrient uptake. This is particularly useful in large-scale farming where consistent results are crucial.
Compatibility with Other Inputs – Liquid urea can be mixed with other agricultural inputs such as foliar fertilizers, herbicides, and plant growth regulators (like gibberellic acid or triacontanol), reducing the need for multiple passes across the field.
Quick Plant Uptake – Liquid urea, when applied as a foliar spray, offers an immediate nitrogen source, crucial during the critical growth stages of plants.
Customization with Other Nutrients – Liquid urea solutions can be enhanced by adding essential nutrients such as magnesium, sulfur, boron, zinc, or other plant growth enhancers.
Incorporating Plant Growth Enhancers: Gibberellic Acid and Triacontanol
In addition to nitrogen, you can enhance plant health and growth by including gibberellic acid and triacontanol in your liquid urea solution:
Gibberellic Acid (GA3): This plant growth hormone promotes cell elongation, encourages seed germination, and enhances flowering and fruit development. Adding gibberellic acid to your liquid urea solution can improve crop yields, especially in cereal and horticultural crops.
Triacontanol: Known for its ability to enhance photosynthesis and chlorophyll production, triacontanol boosts plant metabolism and root development. This growth regulator can be added to liquid urea for optimized pasture growth and crop health during the vegetative and reproductive phases.
These plant growth enhancers can complement the nitrogen supply provided by liquid urea, optimizing overall plant growth and improving yield potential.
Best Practices for Using Liquid Urea
To maximize the benefits of liquid urea, follow these key strategies:
1. Timing and Weather Considerations
Apply liquid urea during cooler times of the day (early morning or late afternoon) to minimize evaporation and reduce the risk of leaf burn.
Avoid applying before heavy rainfall to prevent nitrogen runoff and loss.
For foliar sprays, apply when temperatures are below 25°C to reduce leaf scorching.
2. Use of Additives and Stabilizers
Urease Inhibitors: Products like NBPT (N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide) slow urea conversion to ammonia, reducing volatilization losses.
Surfactants and humectants: These improve foliar absorption and nitrogen uptake efficiency.
Growth Enhancers: Additives like gibberellic acid and triacontanol can be integrated to boost growth, particularly during critical plant stages.
3. Application Methods
Foliar Application: Ideal for rapid nitrogen supplementation during critical growth stages. Use fine nozzles for even coverage.
Soil Drenching or Banding: Places nitrogen directly in the soil, ensuring efficient root uptake.
Irrigation Systems (Fertigation): Inject liquid urea into irrigation systems for cost-effective and even distribution across large areas.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
While liquid urea offers many benefits, some challenges exist:
Risk of Leaf Burn: High concentrations of urea in foliar sprays may damage plant tissues.
Storage Issues: Urea solutions can crystallize in cold conditions or degrade over time.
Equipment Corrosion: Spraying equipment may wear if not properly maintained.
Conclusion
Liquid urea is a powerful tool for enhancing nitrogen efficiency, improving plant uptake, and offering greater flexibility in nutrient management. When combined with other nutrients and growth enhancers like gibberellic acid and triacontanol, it becomes an even more versatile and effective solution for improving plant health and crop productivity.
By following best practices—such as applying in optimal conditions and incorporating stabilizers and growth enhancers—farmers can maximize the benefits while minimizing potential drawbacks.
For farmers considering switching to liquid-applied urea, trialing small areas first will help assess the impact on pastures or crops. With the right application, liquid urea can be a valuable tool for optimizing nitrogen use and improving overall farm productivity.