The One Growers Trust

Shallow banding unstabilized urea less than two inches deep is just scratching the surface of nitrogen protection

You might think that when nitrogen fertilizer is in the ground, it's safe. New research suggests you need to think again. When shallow banding unprotected urea less than two inches deep, researchers found that nitrogen loss due to ammonia volatilization can be even greater than unprotected broadcast urea.

Research by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada showed that when untreated urea was placed in bands two inches below the surface, nitrogen loss due to ammonia volatilization was more than 25% (Figure 1). Additional moisture below the soil caused the incorporated urea to dissolve and hydrolyze quicker, releasing more ammonia gas.

Lost nitrogen can have an impact on your yield and return on investment. Research conducted on canola at sites across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba showed that protecting shallow-banded urea with AGROTAIN^® nitrogen stabilizer resulted in a 5 bu/acre average yield advantage compared to shallow-banded unprotected urea (Figure 2).

AGROTAIN^® DRI-MAXX stabilizer is proven to control nitrogen loss from volatilization, ensuring that your nitrogen investment remains readily available for plant uptake. Protect your nitrogen investment, yield potential and return on investment with AGROTAIN^® DRI-MAXX nitrogen stabilizer today.

        Banded (5cm deep)

        Broadcast/Incorporated

        Broadcast

        Urea + AGROTAIN^® stabilizer

• Field study

• Average study temperature: 40° F

• Le Bras clay loam soil; pH 5.5

• Nitrogen rate of 125 lbs N/acre

• Urea incorporated 2 inches deep

• AGROTAIN^® applied at label rate

• Source: Rochette et al., 2009. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The underlying data was provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and neither Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, not the individual researcher referenced, endorse of recommend any product or service.

        Urea

        Urea + AGROTAIN^® stabilizer

• Average results across four sites in 2014 (AB, SK, and MB)

• Nitrogen applied at rate recommended for each site

• AGROTAIN^® stabilizer applied at recommended rate

• Shallow banding varied from 1/4 inches to less than 2 inches
   Deep banding varied from 2 inches to 3 inches

• Source: Myles Dick, Edmonton, University of Alberta; Chris Holzapfel, Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation and Mario Tenuta, University of Manitoba.

The underlying data was provided by the University of Alberta, Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation and the University of Manitoba, and neither the University of Alberta, Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation and the University of Manitoba, nor the individual researcher referenced, endorse or recommend any product or service.