Glossary of Terms
Urea
A white, crystalline solid containing 46% nitrogen that is widely sold as fertilizer for agricultural use.
Urease
An enzyme present in the soil that reacts with urea, turning it into carbon dioxide and ammonia.
Volatilization
The process by which urea that has been turned into carbon dioxide and ammonia is vaporized into the air from the soil surface.
Denitrification
The microbiological process through which nitrogen is returned from the soil to the atmosphere.
Leaching
When water carries nitrogen down the soil and beyond the reach of plant roots.
Enhanced efficiency fertilizer
A category of fertilizer that work to increase efficiency of nitrogen applied by reducing its loss into the air and water. This category includes slow and controlled-release fertilizers as well as stabilized nitrogen fertilizers. AGROTAIN is a stabilized nitrogen fertilizer.
Stabilized nitrogen
A fertilizer to which a nitrogen stabilizer has been added. Nitrogen stabilizers extend the length of time nitrogen remains in the soil in plant usable form. AGROTAIN is a stabilized nitrogen fertilizer.
Urease inhibitor
A substance that inhibits the action of the urease enzyme. When applied to the soil in fertilizer, the urease inhibitor controls volatilization or nitrogen loss into the air.
Volatility
A measure of nitrogen’s tendency to vaporize and be lost into the air.
