Choosing Between Urea Prilled and Granular.
Urea is a nitrogen-rich fertilizer widely used in agriculture to boost crop yields. It is essential for addressing nitrogen deficiencies in soil, promoting plant growth, and maximizing crop productivity. While different forms of urea are available in the market, prilled and granular urea are the most common ones. However, choosing between prilled and granular urea can be a challenging task, particularly for farmers who are new to the fertilizer market. In this article, we'll highlight the critical differences between these two fertilizers to help you make an informed decision.
1. Appearance.
Prilled urea is spherical or semi-spherical, with a smooth surface and a diameter range of 1-2.5mm. It is a white or yellowish-white, crystalline solid with a uniform size and shape. In contrast, granular urea has an irregular shape with a diameter of 1-4mm. It is also white or yellowish-white but has a bumpy surface because of the aggregates that form during manufacturing.
2. Solubility.
Prilled urea dissolves faster in water than granular urea due to its smooth surface and uniform size. This makes it an excellent option for foliar applications, where nutrients need to be quickly absorbed by the leaves. On the other hand, granular urea takes longer to dissolve and release nutrients into the soil. It's suitable for direct incorporation into the soil, where it acts as a slow-release fertilizer.
3. Dust Release.
Prilled urea releases less dust during transportation and application compared to granular urea. This is because the prilling process produces smooth, round particles that have a low dust formation rate. In contrast, the granulation process produces rough, angular particles that break, crumble, and generate dust during handling and spreading.
4. Application.
Prilled urea is well-suited for foliar feeding and aerial application, where it is easily spread over large areas. It can also be applied using conventional seeding or broadcasting methods. However, it's not suitable for deep placement in soil due to its fast-release characteristics. Granular urea, on the other hand, can be applied using different methods, such as surface broadcasting, drilling, banding, or side-dressing because of its slow-release characteristics.
5. Storage.
Prilled urea is more hygroscopic than granular urea, which means it easily absorbs moisture from the air and becomes sticky or clumpy. This can cause problems during storage, handling, and spreading, leading to uneven application rates. To avoid this, prilled urea needs to be stored in a dry and well-ventilated place to maintain its quality. In contrast, granular urea is less hygroscopic and can be stored for longer periods without significant quality loss.
Conclusion.
In summary, choosing between prilled and granular urea requires a careful evaluation of your needs and objectives. While prilled urea is better suited for foliar feeding and aerial application, granular urea is ideal for deep placement and slow-release fertilization. In addition, prilled urea has a smooth surface, dissolves quickly, releases less dust but is more hygroscopic. Granular urea has an irregular shape, dissolves slowly, releases more dust but is less hygroscopic. Knowing these differences can help you make an informed decision and select the type of urea that best meets your crop's needs.
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