UAN vs Urea-Based Liquid Fertilisers: What’s the Difference?
When discussing soil applied liquid nitrogen fertilisers, it is important to recognise that not all products contain the same forms of nitrogen.
Some liquid nitrogen products are manufactured by dissolving urea into water, creating a urea-based liquid fertiliser. These products contain nitrogen exclusively in the urea form.
OMEX Nitroflo UAN differs because it contains a combination of nitrate, ammonium and urea nitrogen within a single solution.
| UAN Liquid Fertiliser | Urea-Based Liquid Fertilisers |
| Contains nitrate, ammonium and urea nitrogen | Contains urea nitrogen only |
| Provides immediate and longer-term nitrogen availability | Nitrogen availability depends on urea conversion in the soil |
| Multiple nitrogen pathways for crop uptake | Single nitrogen pathway |
| Typically 28–32% nitrogen concentration | Formulation dependent |
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The Difference Between UAN and Urea Based Liquid Fertilisers
This distinction is important because each nitrogen form behaves differently in the soil and contributes to crop nutrition in different ways.
Because UAN contains nitrate nitrogen, a proportion of the applied nitrogen is immediately available to the crop following application. The ammonium and urea fractions contribute to continued nutrient availability over time.
Understanding these differences allows growers to select the most appropriate nitrogen source for their crop, soil conditions and nutrient management strategy.
Why Growers Choose UAN Liquid Fertiliser
Balanced Nitrogen Supply
The combination of three nitrogen forms allows UAN to deliver a mix of readily available and longer-lasting nutrition from a single application.
Accurate Application
Liquid fertilisers can be applied precisely using modern spraying equipment, allowing growers to target application timing and rates according to crop demand.
Uniform Distribution
As a liquid product, UAN can provide consistent nutrient distribution across the field when applied correctly, supporting even crop development.
Compatibility with Precision Farming
UAN integrates well with modern precision agriculture systems, enabling variable-rate applications and more targeted nutrient management.
Supporting Nitrogen Use Efficiency
With increasing focus on improving nitrogen use efficiency, growers are looking for fertiliser solutions that align nutrient availability with crop demand.
The combination of nitrate, ammonium and urea nitrogen within UAN provides flexibility throughout the growing season, helping growers manage nutrition more effectively.
When used as part of a well-planned nutrient management programme, UAN can support strong crop performance while contributing to efficient fertiliser use.
Get In Touch“Liquid Fertiliser offers Irish farmers a variety of benefits, from convenience to agronomic and financial. ”
Luke Thornton - Sales Manager Ireland, OMEX
