Urea deep placement: Nitrogen management for Efficient Rice Fertilization

Boost rice yields and save on fertilizer costs through efficient nitrogen management

Deep Urea Placement technology involves drilling large granules or briquettes of urea fertilizer into the soil, specifically targeting the root zone of rice crops. This method enables a slow release of nitrogen, thereby enhancing nutrient uptake, soil fertility, and crop productivity. By placing urea granules at a depth of 7 to 14 centimeters in soil pockets near the rice seedlings, it ensures a consistent supply of nitrogen throughout the growing season. This approach significantly improves the efficiency of nitrogen utilization by rice crops and is particularly suitable for rice farming in lowland areas with high clay and silt soils that are prone to surface water runoff. Moreover, deep urea placement is a versatile technology that benefits rice production under varying rainfall conditions, reducing the vulnerability of farmers to climate-related risks.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive medium

Under 18: Positive low

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Water use: Same amount of water used

Problem

Inefficient Nitrogen Utilization: Traditional methods of urea application result in low nitrogen uptake by rice crops, with only 25% to 40% of applied nitrogen being utilized.
Environmental Pollution: Conventional broadcasting of urea contributes to nitrogen spill-over, contaminating air, groundwater, rivers, lakes, and oceans, leading to environmental pollution.
Low Grain Productivity: The current practices of urea application, with high nitrogen losses, contribute to suboptimal grain productivity in rice paddies.
Climate-Related Risks: Traditional methods lack resilience to climate variations, making rice production vulnerable to changing weather patterns, affecting overall crop yields.
Production Costs: The conventional approach, with multiple urea applications, incurs higher production costs for farmers without guaranteeing proportional increases in yields.
Limited Access to Irrigation: Farmers with limited or no access to irrigation face challenges in optimizing traditional urea application methods under varying rainfall conditions.
Environmental Impact: Greenhouse gas emissions, including ammonia and nitrogen-oxides, associated with conventional urea application, contribute to local and global climate disturbances.
Food Insecurity: Inefficient nitrogen management and suboptimal grain productivity contribute to food insecurity, necessitating more sustainable and productive agricultural practices.

Solution

Controlled Nitrogen Release: Large granules or briquettes release nitrogen slowly, optimizing absorption by rice crops and reducing waste.
Targeted Application: Precise drilling ensures fertilizer is placed directly in the root zone, minimizing spill-over and environmental impact.
Improved Soil Fertility: Direct delivery of nitrogen enhances soil fertility, promoting healthier rice crops and higher yields.
Drought Resilience: The technology, by placing fertilizers in the subsoil, contributes to increased drought resilience in farming systems.
Simplified Application: Single application per season simplifies the farming process, reducing labor and overall production costs.
Environmental Conservation: Minimizes nitrogen losses, preserving the environment by preventing contamination of air, water, and ecosystems.
Adaptability to Various Conditions: Suited for different agroecologies, it benefits both subsistence and commercial rice farmers in diverse environments.

Key points to design your project

Deep Urea Placement emerges as a transformative solution addressing key challenges in traditional urea application. It not only boosts agricultural productivity and income but also aligns with global sustainability objectives, reducing environmental pollution, creating a pathway for a resilient and equitable future in rice farming.

To integrate this technology into your project and outline the necessary activities and requirements, follow these steps:

Evaluate the product quantity needed for your project, considering a technology cost ranging from approximately USD 0.4-0.8 per kilogram, with a minimum recommended rate of 0.25 tons of fertilizer per hectare.
Consider the technology's supply location and include the delivery cost to the project site, accounting for potential import clearance and duties.

A team of trainers could provide training and support during project installation. Include the cost for training and post-training support for using the technology.

Communication support for the technology should be developed (flyers, videos, radio broadcasts, etc.)

For better optimization of the improved maize variety, consider companion planting with Improved rice varieties for Africa (NERICA and ARICA lines), foliar micronutrient addition, engineered irrigation surfacing (and water lifting), motorized weeders (cut and bury paddy weeds), and utilize RiceAdvice digital support.

To implement the technology in your country, you could collaborate with agricultural development institutes and agro-dealers.

Cost: $$$ 0.4—0.8 USD

per Kg

ROI: $$$ 30 %

increase in yield

0.25 ton

Recommended rate per Ha

100—200 USD

Equivalence cost for the recommendated rate per Ha

10 USD

plunger-type applicator

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Niger	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Senegal	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Togo	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 13: climate action

Preparation: Ensure that the rice paddies are ready for fertilization, with rice plants properly spaced.
Selection of Urea Form: Choose large granules, prills, or briquettes of urea, preferably weighing 1 to 3 grams each. These have been designed to release nitrogen slowly.
Placement Technique: Using manual or mechanized tools, drill the selected urea form into the soil. The optimal depth for placement is between 7 to 14 centimetres.
Spacing: For best results, urea should be placed between every four rice plants sown in a line. This ensures that the nitrogen is within optimal reach of the rice plant's roots.
Single Application: Unlike traditional methods that require multiple applications, the UreaPro DeepNest technology typically requires just one application per growing season, thanks to its efficient nitrogen release mechanism.
Alignment with Agronomic Practices: Use high-performing rice varieties and adhere to recommended farming practices to amplify the benefits of the technology. Ensure that rice is sown in carefully spaced lines for efficient nutrient uptake.
Monitoring: Regularly monitor the rice crop's growth and health to ensure that the deep placement of urea is effectively benefiting the plants.
Complementary Practices: While the technology itself requires fewer interventions, it's beneficial to align it with other agronomic practices like effective weed control to ensure maximal crop yield and quality.
Post-Harvest: After harvesting, evaluate the overall performance and benefits of the technology to make any necessary adjustments in subsequent farming cycles.