What is the uses of urea?

19 Mar.,2024

 

If properly applied, urea and fertilizers containing urea are excellent sources of nitrogen for crop production.

Chemical reactions

After application to the soil, urea undergoes chemical changes and ammonium (NH4 +) ions form. Soil moisture determines how rapidly this conversion takes place.

When an urea particle dissolves, the area around it becomes a zone of high pH and ammonia concentration. This zone can be quite toxic for a few hours. The free ammonia that has formed can kill the seed and seedling roots within this zone.

Fortunately, this toxic zone becomes neutralized in most soils as the ammonia converts to ammonium. Usually it's just a few days before plants can effectively use the nitrogen.

Although urea imparts an alkaline reaction when first applied to the soil, the net effect is to produce an acid reaction.

How and how much to apply

Urea or materials containing urea should, in general, be broadcast and immediately incorporated into the soil.

If applying urea-based fertilizer in a band, separate it from the seed by at least 2 inches of soil. Under no circumstances should urea or urea-based fertilizer be seed-placed with corn.

With small grains, you can generally apply 10 pounds of nitrogen as urea with the grain drill at seeding time, even under dry conditions. Under good moisture conditions, you can apply 20 pounds of nitrogen as urea with the grain drill.

Research findings

Research from North Dakota State University indicates that, under dry conditions, urea can reduce wheat stands more than 50 percent (Table 5). This was for urea applied with a grain drill in a 6-inch spacing, at the rate of more than 20 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

University of Wisconsin research indicates that seed-placed urea with corn, even at low rates of nitrogen, is very toxic to the seed and greatly reduces yields (Table 6). However, when urea was side-placed as a 2-by-2-inch starter, researchers noted little, if any, damage (Table 7).

In Minnesota, good crop production usually requires an application of more than 20 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Farmers can avoid damage from urea by broadcasting most of the urea nitrogen fertilizer ahead of seeding. Data in Table 8 indicate that urea broadcast prior to seeding is equal to or more effective than similar ammonium nitrate treatments.

Urea - CH4N2O

What is Urea?

Urea is a nitrogenous compound formed in the liver. It has a chemical formula of CH4N2O. It is also known as Carbamide or Ureophil. This compound is the final end product of protein metabolism. It is a waste product and has no physiological function. It dissolves in blood and kidney excretes it in urine. This organic compound has two NH2 groups connected by a functional group carbonyl. Urea dissolves in water and is non-toxic. It is colourless and has no smell. It is widely used as an important raw material in industries and commonly used in fertilizers.

Table of Contents

Properties of Urea – CH4N2O

CH4N2O Urea Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass 60.06 g/mol Density 1.32 g/cm3 Appears White solid Melting Point 133 °C

Urea structure – CH4N2O


CH4N2O Uses (Urea)

  • It is used as a nitrogen-release fertilizer
  • It is used as a stabilizer in nitrocellulose explosives
  • It is used in lanthanide chemistry as an important reagent
  • It is used in the manufacturing of high explosive like urea nitrate
  • It is used in creams or ointments to rehydrate skin
  • It is used in the urea breath test to detect the presence of bacteria in the stomach
  • It is used as an ingredient in dish soap
  • It is used in hair removal creams
  • It is used in making pretzels as a browning agent
  • It is used in the manufacture of melamine

Frequently Asked Questions

Are urea and urine the same?

Urea (commonly referred to as carbamide) is a waste product that is produced in most living organisms. This compound is human urine’s main organic component. The liver transforms the ammonia into a non-toxic compound, urea, which can then be transferred safely into the kidneys in the blood, from where it is excreted in urine

What are the uses of urea?

The diamide of carbonic acid, Urea, is also called carbamide. The chemical formula of this compound is H2NCONH2. Urea has essential uses as a supplement to fertilizer and feed, as well as starting material for plastics and medicines manufacturing.

How does urea affect the skin?

The nitrogen compound urea has beneficial water-binding and mild exfoliating properties for skin in limited quantities. It can cause irritation in larger quantities, but it can also exfoliate skin in large amounts. Urea may make other cosmetic ingredients more absorbent on the skin.

Also Read:

Learn more about the properties, production and the structure of CH4N2O from the expert faculties at BYJU’S.

What is the uses of urea?

CH4N2O Structure, Properties, and Uses

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