Types of Nitrogen Fertilizers Explained: Urea, Ammonium Nitrate & More
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Nitrogen fertilizer plays a foundational role in crop productivity and overall soil health. Understanding the types, characteristics, and appropriate application of nitrogen fertilizers is essential for making informed agronomic decisions. From urea and ammonium nitrate to innovative blends like Yarafert products, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Key Nitrogen Fertilizer Types and Their Chemical Forms
Nitrogen fertilizers are categorized based on the chemical form of nitrogen they contain, each influencing nutrient availability and plant uptake differently.
Here are the primary nitrogen fertilizer types:
Urea (CO(NH2)2): Contains 46% nitrogen, making it the most concentrated solid nitrogen fertilizer.
Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3): Offers 33-34% nitrogen and provides both ammonium and nitrate forms.
Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN): A safer alternative to ammonium nitrate, containing 26-28% nitrogen.
Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3): A pressurized gas containing 82% nitrogen, mainly used in large-scale farming.
YaraFert solutions such as CALCIMAG(15% N, 22% CaO) and SULPHOMIN(45% N, 15% SO3, 25% organic matter) exemplify modern nitrogen formulations optimized for crop-specific results.
How Each Nitrogen Fertilizer Type Releases Nutrients
Understanding how nitrogen fertilizer types release nutrients helps tailor applications to plant needs and environmental conditions.
Urea: Requires hydrolysis to convert to ammonium before plant uptake. The transformation depends on soil temperature and urease activity.
Ammonium Nitrate: Provides immediate availability—half of the nitrogen is in ammonium form and half as nitrate.
Ammonium Sulfate: Offers slow-release nitrogen while improving sulfur content, which is vital for protein synthesis.
CAN: Moderately fast-release, suited for broad-acre crops and horticulture.
Anhydrous Ammonia: Injected into the soil where it reacts with moisture, rapidly converting to ammonium.
YaraFert’s Ugarit 40-10-10 + TE suspension is ideal for quick nutrient access, combining fast-acting nitrogen with balanced phosphorus and potassium for early growth stages.
Urea is one of the most commonly used nitrogen fertilizers globally due to its high nitrogen content and affordability.
Advantages:
High nitrogen concentration (46%) reduces transportation and storage costs.
Suitable for a variety of crops and soil types.
Can be blended with other nutrients.
Limitations:
Volatile if not incorporated into the soil quickly.
Requires microbial conversion, which slows down uptake in cool conditions.
Risk of ammonia volatilization in alkaline soils.
To enhance urea performance, pairing it with products like Ugarit 27-27-27 + TE or Biofast Gel (12% N, 12% P, 12% K with 24% humic and fulvic acids) can improve nutrient availability and soil organic matter.
Where Ammonium Nitrate Fits in Nitrogen Fertilizer Plans
Ammonium nitrate serves as a reliable, fast-acting nitrogen fertilizer, offering dual forms of nitrogen for diverse cropping systems.
Best applications include:
Pre-plant or top-dress fertilization in cereal and forage crops.
Regions requiring quick nitrogen uptake due to short growing seasons.
Soils with moderate pH, where ammonium conversion is stable.
YaraFert’s Ugarit Cereal(15% N, 2% Cu) enhances nitrogen efficiency in cereal grains, offering trace element support for robust root and shoot development.
Ugarit Multiadds potassium, sulfur, and calcium, ideal for fruiting crops.
Product Application Table
Product Name
Nitrogen (%)
Additional Benefits
Application Type
Ugarit 40-10-10 + TE
40
Balanced macro + trace nutrients
Suspension
SULPHOMIN
45
High sulfur, organic matter
Liquid
CALCIMAG
15
High calcium and magnesium
Liquid
Biofast
12
Rich in humic and fulvic acids
Gel
Ugarit 10-0-5 + OM
10
Organic matter, humic and fulvic
Granular
Ugarit Cereal
15
Enriched with copper for cereals
Liquid
Ugarit Multi
0
High K, S, and Ca; nitrogen-free booster
Liquid
Conclusion: Make Nitrogen Work for Your Fields
Nitrogen fertilizer is far more than just a nutrient—it’s a strategic input that determines yield, quality, and soil vitality. Choosing between urea, ammonium nitrate, and advanced blends like YaraFert products depends on your soil profile, crop needs, and climate conditions. Integrating balanced formulations such as Ugarit 27-27-27 + TE, Biofast, or SULPHOMIN can significantly enhance nutrient uptake and crop health.
Ready to optimize your nitrogen fertilizer plan?
Visit our website to explore our full Yarafert product lineup, or contact our agronomy team for personalized recommendations tailored to your crops and soil. Make your next nitrogen application your most effective yet.
