SRN vs Nitrogen Stabilizers
Slow-release nitrogen (SRN) and nitrogen stabilizers (UI and NI) are great nitrogen management tools available to retailers from microSource. Nonetheless, these two terms are often used interchangeably and confused in the market for their mechanisms. The technologies are two different approaches to enhance nitrogen efficiency and it is important to understand how each function is key to selecting the proper product to achieve the desired goal.
Slow-Release Nitrogen (SRN)
Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers are designed to release nitrogen gradually over an extended period. One of the more popular slow-release technologies is urea-triazone, a source of slowly available nitrogen as defined by AAPFCO since 1990. Triazone is a long-chain molecule created to provide the delayed release of nitrogen; it takes microbes longer to break down the more complex compound and thus, slows the release of nitrogen. The duration of release depends on microbial activity and other environmental factors such as moisture levels and temperature. This slow-release mechanism helps to match the nutrient availability with the plant’s demand, reducing the risk of nitrogen loss.
Since release is delayed, it’s important to note urea-triazone nitrogen is not immediately plant available. To provide some immediately available nitrogen, most products only include triazone as a portion of the total N analysis. For example, our Source SRN 26 provides 26% total nitrogen of which 33% is derived from urea-triazone. So, 67% of the nitrogen is in the readily available Urea form, and the balance triazone portion is slowly released for longer-term feeding. SRN is compatible with other nutrients as well as many crop protection chemicals. Often applied with fungicide, a foliar application of Source SRN 26 is an effective way to deliver nitrogen at critical growth stages.
Nitrogen Stabilizers (UI and NI)
Nitrogen stabilizers, on the other hand, are liquid additives applied with traditional nitrogen fertilizers (Urea, UAN, Anhydrous Ammonia) to minimize undesirable nitrogen loss to the environment. Nitrogen is lost through three common pathways, volatilization, leaching, and denitrification. Nitrogen stabilizers work by inhibiting or slowing down these processes, thereby keeping more nitrogen available for plant uptake.
Sometimes, nitrogen stabilizers are referred to as “slow-release” but that is a misuse of the term. Nitrogen stabilizers minimize nitrogen loss, but they do not defer nitrogen viability. Nitrogen still cycles through natural enzyme related processes (i.e., urea hydrolysis and nitrification), which make the N available to the plant. Nitrogen stabilizers simply slow the conversion process, keeping nitrogen in a plant available form longer and thus reducing the risk of loss.
Nitrogen Management
The 4R framework is always a great concept to properly manage nitrogen applications. In addition, both technologies are effective sources (Right Source) to reduce losses to the environment and increase nitrogen efficiency. For more information on our product line-up of SRN’s and Nitrogen Stabilizers, visit www.microSourcellc.com.
Author: Ethan Enochs