Urea: what kind of fertilizer is it, when and how is it used

Urea, also known as carbamide, is one of the most popular nitrogen fertilizers. It is used both in large-scale agriculture and in private gardens because it helps plants grow faster and be stronger. This fertilizer is used to enrich the soil for many crops.

What is urea?

Urea is white granules that are easily soluble in water. This fertilizer contains about 46% nitrogen, an element that plants need for stem and leaf growth. Unlike other nitrogen fertilizers, urea is milder.

Advantages of urea:

• High nitrogen content.
• Most plants, from vegetables to cereals, need this type of fertilizer.
• Can be applied to the soil or used as a spray solution.
• Not too acidic, so it does not deteriorate the soil composition.
• Retains its properties for a long time if stored in a dry place.

Urea is especially useful in spring and early summer when plants are actively growing. There are specific ways to use this fertilizer for different purposes. However, it must be applied correctly so as not to harm the plants.

How to apply urea

Urea is used in different ways depending on the type of plant, the season, and the purpose of fertilization. There are two main ways to apply urea: dry and liquid. In dry form, the fertilizer is scattered over the soil before rain or watering so that the granules dissolve and reach the roots. In liquid form, it is diluted in water and used for feeding through the roots or leaves.

Main methods of application:

• Urea is applied to the soil before planting. The granules are scattered over the surface of the soil and raked in. The optimal dosage is 10-20 g per 1 m². It is best to apply this fertilizer before rain or watering so that the fertilizer dissolves.
• Urea is used to prepare the soil for vegetables, lawns, and fruit trees.
• When planting, add 5-10 g of urea to each hole. Mix the granules with the soil so as not to burn the plant roots. This method is suitable for seedlings of vegetables such as tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, strawberries, and potatoes.
• Urea is used to feed plants during the period of active growth. In spring and summer, it is applied to the soil around the plants. For vegetables and berry bushes, add 10-15 g of this fertilizer per 1 m². For cereal crops, 200-300 kg per hectare is required for industrial cultivation.
• A solution of urea is sprayed on the leaves of cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, and fruit trees. Dilute 5-10 g of fertilizer per 1 liter of water. Spray the leaves in the morning or evening to avoid burns.
• In autumn, urea is spread on the soil before digging to enrich the soil with nitrogen. The dosage is 10-20 g per 1 m².
• In greenhouses, the dosage of urea is reduced, as the fertilizer decomposes faster there. For soil feeding, 5-10 g per 1 m² is required, for foliar feeding - 3-5 g per 1 liter of water.

When using urea, it is important to observe the dosage and application rules. An excess of urea can burn plants or oversaturate the soil with nitrogen. It is important to note that urea should not be mixed with ash or lime, otherwise the nitrogen will evaporate and the fertilizer will lose its effectiveness.