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Mineralization and nitrification of ureaform fertilizers

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Abstract

In an attempt to produce N materials that exhibit some delayed-release character and yet make all the N available in one growing season, ureaform (UF) fertilizers were prepared using low amounts of paraformaldehyde (PFA) (6% to 15% PFA w/w). Mineralization and nitrification of the various water-soluble components of these UF materials were studied over a period of 35 days by use of15N and high pressure liquid chromatographic techniques. Only the dimethylenetriurea (DMTU) fraction and a fraction tentatively identified as triuret showed any slow-release character, whereas other water-soluble components mineralized rapidly. Less soluble fractions did not mineralize appreciably during the experiment. Due to their reduced solubility, these ureaforms were shown to be less susceptible to volatilization than was urea, and a 37% reduction in loss was found.

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Christianson, C.B., Carter, M.F. & Holt, L.S. Mineralization and nitrification of ureaform fertilizers. Fertilizer Research 17, 85–95 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01050459

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