What is the Difference Between Ammonium Nitrate and Urea?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between ammonium nitrate and urea lies in the forms of nitrogen they contain and their production processes. Here are the key differences:
- Nitrogen Forms: Urea (NH2CONH2) contains nitrogen only in the amide form, while ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) contains nitrogen in both ammonium and nitrate forms.
- Production Processes: The different forms of nitrogen determine different production process routes for urea and ammonium nitrate.
- Nitrogen Content: Ammonium nitrate has 33% nitrogen, while urea has 46% nitrogen. This means that urea has more nitrogen than ammonium nitrate relative to the overall mass.
- Availability: Plants can access nitrogen from ammonium nitrate more quickly than from urea. However, in warm soils, bacteria can convert ammonium and urea to nitrate, which plants can readily use, within a matter of days.
- Application: Both fertilizers can damage plant leaves if not watered or rained in soon after application. Urea, in particular, needs to be irrigated after application to prevent damage.
- Cost: Ammonium nitrate is generally less expensive per ton than urea, but the cost of nitrogen per pound is lower for urea.
In summary, ammonium nitrate and urea are both nitrogen-rich fertilizers, but they differ in the forms of nitrogen they contain, their production processes, and their nitrogen content. While ammonium nitrate offers more immediate nitrogen availability, urea is slightly cheaper per unit of nitrogen but requires proper application to avoid damaging plants.
Comparative Table: Ammonium Nitrate vs Urea
Here is a table comparing the differences between ammonium nitrate and urea:
Property | Ammonium Nitrate | Urea |
---|---|---|
Chemical Formula | NH4NO3 | CO(NH2)2 |
Molecular Structure | Odorless, white crystalline solid at room temperature and standard pressure | Organic compound containing carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen |
Nitrogen Forms | Contains nitrogen in both ammonium and nitrate forms | Contains nitrogen only in amide form |
Solubility in Water | Highly soluble, easily dissolves in water | Dissolves in water and moves with substrate water |
Substrate pH Effect | Lowers substrate pH (acidic) | Raises substrate pH (basic) |
Risk of Leaching | Higher risk of nitrate leaching [2,4] | Lower risk of leaching |
Risk of Ammonia Toxicity | Lower risk of ammonia toxicity [2,4] | Lower risk of ammonia toxicity |
Fertilizer Use | Often used in plug and liner production and finished products | Typically more affordable than other forms of nitrogen, but less nitrate based fertilizers are usually advised |
Urea and ammonium nitrate are both nitrogen-containing compounds used as fertilizers, but they differ in their chemical structure, solubility, and environmental impact. Urea is an organic compound containing carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, while ammonium nitrate is an inorganic salt containing nitrogen in both ammonium and nitrate forms. Ammonium nitrate has a higher risk of leaching and a lower risk of ammonia toxicity compared to urea.
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