Q. Can we use technical-grade urea as fertilizer?

Answer

Fertilizers containing urea should be used with caution. It is possible that nitrogen will be lost owing to volatilization if the fertilizer is not administered properly, and in rare instances, urea may cause harm to the seeds that are trying to germinate. Soon after the application of the urea fertilizer, work it into the ground using watering or natural precipitation if possible. It is best to avoid applying urea fertilizers to the soil surface since doing so without first integrating the fertilizers into the soil leads to increased nitrogen loss. When the pH of the soil is high, losses are larger. When the temperature is neither too low nor too hot, urea fertilizers should be put into the soil. The temperature of the soil should be between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit).It is possible to lessen the amount of ammonia produced and lost to evaporation by using urea fertilizers that include urease inhibitors. This provides an extra week or two for the incorporation of the urea fertilizer into the soil, whether it be by rainfall, irrigation, or some other method. The production of urea fertilizers results in the formation of the chemical compound known as biuret, which has the formula [H2NC(O)]2NH. Biuret is a component of urea fertilizers and contains the element nitrogen. Biuret might be hazardous to plants if it is applied in high enough amounts. The majority of urea fertilizers include between 1.0 and 1.3% biuret, a level that is regarded to be risk-free for usage. However, some plant species are more delicate than others. Low-biuret fertilizers, which contain roughly 0.25 percent biuret, should be used for foliar treatments on crops that are particularly sensitive. If the biuret fertilizer is applied too closely to the seeds that are trying to germinate, this might potentially harm the seedlings.