What is the difference between ammonium bicarbonate and urea? Two nitrogen fertilizers explained in one go

In the process of crop cultivation, ammonium bicarbonate and urea are both commonly used chemical fertilizers, and both are a type of nitrogen fertilizer that can effectively help crop growth when applied. However, many growers do not know the differences in how they are used. Below, the editor will explain the differences between them.

I. What ammonium bicarbonate and urea have in common

Ammonium bicarbonate and urea both belong to nitrogen fertilizers, and they have extremely strong water solubility and volatility, so when using them, they need to be covered with soil and cannot be directly broadcast on the ground surface. Also, during decomposition, both release ammonia gas. If used as a seed fertilizer, they can very easily burn the seeds, and if applied directly to leaves, the leaves will also be burned.

II. Differences between ammonium bicarbonate and urea

1. Different speeds of fertilizer effect

Ammonium bicarbonate is a quick-acting fertilizer, while urea is a medium-speed fertilizer. The fertilizer effect of ammonium bicarbonate is faster than that of urea, and its conversion speed after application is short. If used on crops with weak growth, the effect is obvious. Urea, however, converts relatively slowly in the soil, and generally after application it takes about 7 days before it can be absorbed. So when topdressing and wanting a faster fertilizer effect, it is best to use ammonium bicarbonate.

2. Whether it can be directly absorbed and utilized

After ammonium bicarbonate is applied to the soil, it exists in the soil in the form of ammonium nitrogen and can be directly absorbed by the roots. But after urea is applied to the soil, it must undergo a period of conversion and needs to be converted into ammonium carbonate before it can be absorbed and utilized by crop roots. So when using nitrogen fertilizer, it needs to be applied 5-7 days in advance.

3. Great differences in fertilizer effect at different temperatures

The decomposition speed of ammonium bicarbonate is affected by temperature. The higher the temperature, the faster the decomposition speed, and the greater the loss of fertilizer effect. When the temperature is below 20 degrees, its volatilization is very small. Urea, however, at a soil temperature of about 10 degrees, needs 7-10 days of conversion time, and the lower the temperature, the longer the conversion time required. So when using nitrogen fertilizer in winter and early spring, using ammonium bicarbonate is better than using urea.

4. Different loss rates

After ammonium bicarbonate is applied, ammonium nitrogen can be very stably adsorbed by soil particles, and it is not prone to fertilizer effect loss with water. After urea is applied, however, it dissolves in the soil solution in molecular form, and it is not only difficult for it to be adsorbed by fine soil particles, but it also leaches away with water.

  The above is an introduction to the differences between ammonium bicarbonate and urea. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.