New technologies that enable a reduction in NH3-N volatilization losses should be developed to increase the N use efficiency of urea. The incorporation of boron and copper into urea can reduce these effects by inhibiting urease activity. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, testing the application of different N fertilizers (urea pellets with and without boron and copper, ammonium sulfate, urea with urease inhibitor NBPT, granulated urea and urea coated with boron and copper) to the surface of a Haplic Planosol in trays (area 0.1 m², depth 10 cm), at a rate of 200 kg ha-1 N. The NH3-N volatilization losses were assessed for 18 days, using a semi-open gas collector. The inclusion of copper and boron in the process of pelletizing urea reduced losses by up to 54 %, compared with the commercial granulated urea, proving the effective minimization of NH3-N volatilization losses.
N-NH3loss; pelletized fertilizers; urease
