A product that is either biodegradable or can be removed with no cost, and with minimum labor, and with no environmental impacts for the user. It should generate less nitrate content and therefore less N20 in water).<br/><br/>Does not interfere with the biology of crop growth (and consequently the varying environments associated with crops).<br/><br/>Should not be more labour intensive than the present application of urea.<br/><br/>A favoured solution would be something that could be accommodated with the present manufacturing process of urea.

During the agricultural fertilisation, 20-40% urea is lost due to ‘fast’nitrification by soil bacteria and as it moves deeper into the soil when carried away with water, or is volatilized as NH4 & N2O and ends up escaping into the atmosphere. A desirable solution would result in the modification of the rates of urea hydrolysis leading to a reduction in nitrification over time. <br/><br/>Urea is used as a nitrogen-release fertilizer as it hydrolyses back to ammonia and carbon dioxide. It is also used in many multi-component solid fertilizer formulations. Its action of nitrogen release is due to the conditions favouring the reagent side of the equilibria which produce urea. <br/><br/>CO(NH2)2 + H2O + urease 2NH3 +CO2<br/> (urea)<br/><br/>Urea can be produced as prills, granules, flakes, pellets, crystals, and solutions. However, granules and prills are of most interest to our client.<br/><br/>Urea is usually spread at rates of between 40 and 300 kg/ha, but actual spreading rates will vary according to farm type and region. Any solution will have to survive in the varying environments and seasonal changes (variations in soil temperature, humidity, and soil pH).<br/><br/>Finding a granule that lasts longer with less losses of urea would be advantageous to both producer and user. Also, this would help the environment from reductions in CO2 and N2O with benefits to the quality of ground water. <br/>