Nitrogen Stabilizers

Up to 50% of applied nitrogen fertilizer can be lost through volatilization, denitrification, leaching, and runoff before plants have a chance to use it. Active AgriScience nitrogen management solutions inhibit nitrogen loss in urea and UAN fertilizers ensuring your investment does not go to waste.

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What Causes Nitrogen Loss?

There are two causes of nitrogen loss: ammonia volatilization and nitrification. Ammonia volatilization occurs when urease enzymes convert nitrogen fertilizer to ammonia gas which is then released into the atmosphere. The second cause of nitrogen loss is nitrification where bacteria in the soil transform N fertilizer into its more unstable form: nitrate. Nitrate is prone to losses through run-off, leaching, and denitrification.

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How to Prevent Nitrogen Loss

Active AgriScience nitrogen stabilizers inhibit either volatilization, nitrification, or both. ARM U 18% NBPT and ARM U 30% NBPT inhibits volatilization while ARM U 15% DMPP and Active BANDIT neutralize the bacteria that causes nitrification. Active STABILIZER PLUS is a dual nitrogen stabilizer that reduces both forms of nitrogen loss.

Nitrogen Process
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Nitrogen Stabilizer Research

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Our nitrogen stabilizers are backed by years of independent scientific research. In a recent study, urea treated with Active AgriScience stabilizers showed significant nitrogen savings. Across nine treatments and rates, cumulative ammonia loss was reduced by 73% to 93% compared to untreated fertilizer.

Which Nitrogen Stabilizer Should I Use?

Active AgriScience nitrogen stabilizers are suited for any climate, soil type, or budget. Colder climates with low rainfall will benefit more from our NBPT products while our DMPP products will be more effective in warmer environments and higher moisture. Active STABILIZER PLUS is a low cost solution with significant nitrogen loss protection. ARM U is our premium nitrogen stabilizer made for high N loss situations.

ARM U 18% NBPT ARM U 30% NBPT ARM U 15% DMPP Active BANDIT Active STABILIZER PLUS
18% NBPT 30% NBPT No NBPT No NBPT 12% NBPT
No DMPP No DMPP 15% DMPP 10% DMPP 2% DMPP
2 L / tonne of urea 1.2 – 1.5 L / tonne of urea 0.6 L / tonne of urea 0.8 – 1 L / tonne of urea 1.2 – 2.4 L / tonne of urea
Inhibits ammonia volatilization Inhibits ammonia volatilization Inhibits leaching and denitrification Inhibits leaching and denitrification Inhibits volatilization, leaching and denitrification
For high soil pH, low moisture Stronger protection in low moisture conditions For fall applications, water-logged soils For banded applications General purpose dual inhibitor for fall or spring
Active AgriScience nitrogen stabilizer comparison.
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Environmental Benefits of Nitrogen Stabilizers

An often overlooked concern with nitrogen loss are the nitrous oxide emissions from the denitrification of nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas nearly 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide and can live in the atmosphere for over 100 years.

Active AgriScience DMPP based nitrogen stabilizers inhibit the processes that lead to nitrous oxide emissions.

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Nitrogen Management Funding

on farm climate action fund nitrogen management

On February 22, 2022, $182.7 million was distributed to 12 different recipient organizations on behalf of Canada’s On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). This was to provide direct funding to growers who adopt management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogen fertilizer.

Contact your local recipient organization to potentially receive funding for nitrogen management practices.

One of the OFCAF’s recipient organizations, the Canola Council, offers financial support through their Canola 4R Advantage program. If you run a farm in the Canadian Prairies, you could be reimbursed up to $12,000 each year for adopting beneficial management practices (BMPs) that reduce greenhouse gases. Active AgriScience nitrogen stabilizers are currently listed as eligible for the program.

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Nitrogen Stabilizer Tools and Resources