Advanced Nitrogen Management: Effects of Nano-Coated Urea on Nitrogen Leaching in Loam

Dinda Mahartian Yunita (Soil and Water Management Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Brawijaya University, Malang 65145, Indonesia)
M Wasilul Lutfi (Department of Soil Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia)
Atiqah Aulia Hanuf (Department of Soil Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia)
Soemarno Soemarno (Department of Soil Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia)
Sugeng Prijono (Department of Soil Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia)
Kurniawan Sigit Wicaksono (Department of Soil Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia)

Journal of Tropical Soils
Vol. 31 No. 1: January 2026

Urea fertilization using controlled-release techniques is an effective way to reduce nitrogen (N) loss. One technique to decelerate N release and enhance fertilization efficiency involves applying Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) via Nano-Coated Urea (NCU) technology. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of coated urea application in reducing nitrate leaching rates and improving urea fertilization efficiency in loam soils. The materials used as urea coatings are Bentonite, which has been modified into nanosized particles. The study uses an incubation method with a lysimeter tube and destructive soil sampling to analyze soil nitrate and leached nitrate. The results showed that there was an increase in soil nitrate concentration in the LMC2 treatment (urea coating bentonite) by 28.05% and in the LMC3 treatment (urea coating nano bentonite) by 35.61%, compared to the LMC1 treatment (control urea) of 19.55%.