With the phasing out of ammonium nitrate as a fertilizer source, producers need to better understand how ammonia volatilization from urea may occur in their soils. Many factors affect ammonia volatilization such as fertilizer placement, soil temperature, soil moisture, wind, precipitation and soil pH. These articles and presentations explain more about this process and how producers might minimize nitrogen loss from volatilization.
Publications
Management of Urea Fertilizer to Minimize Volatilization (Montana State Univ; pdf)
Management of Urea Fertilizers (Kansas State Univ; pdf)
Presentations
Ammonia Volatilization: Process, Factors Affecting, and Yield Effects (pdf)
Management to Reduce Volatilization Losses (pdf)
Current research on ammonia volatilization from urea fertilizer (click here)
Streaming video of Dr. Jones’s presentation on urea volatilization (Feb. 7, 2011, Malta, MT audience). High speed internet connection is recommended. http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/p44239434/
