Urea phosphate first caught attention decades ago, not long after scientists managed to put urea’s value as a nitrogen source on paper. Back in the 1960s, the race for more effective and water-soluble fertilizers was picking up speed. Urea phosphate surfaced as a practical result for farmers chasing better yields and higher nutrient uptake. Once chemists realized that merging urea with phosphoric acid creates a highly soluble compound, the fertilizer business took notice. Since then, its use spread far beyond test plots, crossing from field trials to commercial agriculture, and lately, trickling into specialty crop management and horticultural projects.
Urea phosphate stands out as a white, crystalline solid. It dissolves easily in water, making it handy for fertigation and hydroponics. Compared to plain urea or phosphates, it offers a one-two punch by giving plants access to both nitrogen and phosphorus. That catches the eye, especially in areas where soils lock up these elements or irrigation systems demand extra-pure solubility. Producers package it in bags, drums, or bulk for big users. A quick check on a bag reveals a formula of CO(NH2)2·H3PO4, with nutrient values typically listed as 17-44-0 for N-P2O5-K2O.
In the bin, urea phosphate presents itself as a fine and free-flowing white powder or sometimes as small crystals. It isn’t hygroscopic like raw urea, so it stores better in most climates. The melting point runs lower than simple urea, showing early signs of breakdown around 132°C. Water grabs it fast, and the solution stays clear, which matters for drip irrigation. Chemically, urea phosphate is acidic, with a solution pH sitting around 1.7 at 1% concentration. Such a low pH can help unclog drippers and lines filled with calcified deposits, reducing equipment downtime and maintenance.
Labels on commercial products don’t hide much. Most give a guaranteed nutrient breakdown, detail the percentage of water-soluble phosphorus and nitrogen, and list out impurities, often focusing hard on heavy metals like cadmium or lead. Regulations set by governments or local bodies usually demand tight limits for those. For growers who work within certified standards, checking for ISO, REACH, or local agricultural ministry compliance is part of the routine purchasing decision. Sometimes the labeling includes recommended application rates and storage cautions, especially in bulk shipments arriving at cooperatives or distributors.
Making urea phosphate doesn’t involve complex machinery. The typical route starts with mixing industrial urea with food-grade or technical-grade phosphoric acid. Controlled conditions avoid excessive heat and loss of ammonia. Technicians stir the blend until the reaction completes, then they cool the mixture and crystallize the product. Drying and screening finish the process before bagging begins. Since both starting materials are widely available, this process keeps costs relatively low, which farmers appreciate when margins run thin.
Bringing urea and phosphoric acid together yields urea phosphate alongside a dollop of water due to the inherent chemical reaction. On the lab side, researchers see potential in blending urea phosphate with potassium salts or micronutrients. These modifications tweak the fertilizer profile for specialty crops. Some even try coating urea phosphate with polymers to slow down nutrient release, but cost and field results still limit broad adoption of those approaches. Labs sometimes experiment with acids to change solubility or combine it with organic additives to reduce leaching in sandy soils.
In catalogs and in the field, urea phosphate shows up under several banners. Chemists might jot down its IUPAC name, "urea phosphoric acid adduct," but most distributors stick to “urea phosphate,” sometimes marked as UP. Certain brands market it with trade names highlighting either its acidity or dual nutrient content. In non-English regions or export paperwork, you’ll spot translations or abbreviations, yet the formula (CO(NH2)2·H3PO4) pretty much gives it away in any language.
Like most fertilizers, urea phosphate calls for smart handling. It carries a corrosive label because of the low pH, demanding gloves and eye protection for workers scooping or mixing it. Dust control plays a role in warehouses, since breathing it in irritates nose and throat. OSHA, GHS, or other local guidelines guide storage away from bases and metals. Spills need sweeping or vacuuming—never hosing down a spill since runoff could eat through pipes or harm soil and aquatic life if uncontrolled. Transport containers require corrosion-resistant linings and must be sealed well to stop moisture from causing cakes or clumps.
Farmers and greenhouse managers use urea phosphate mainly where liquid feeding rules. In drip irrigation, it’s a go-to in greenhouses growing tomatoes, cucumbers, or roses. Rice paddies and orchards facing alkaline soil benefit from the acidifying effect, which loosens up bound-up phosphorus and sharpens nutrient uptake. Some folks apply it through foliar sprays, though low rates are needed to avoid leaf burn. Beyond agriculture, you’ll see it showing up in industrial cleaning—where acidification plus rinsing power remove mineral scale from pipes or equipment.
Universities and ag chemists study how urea phosphate interacts with soil microbes and root systems. Some research explores pairing it with controlled-release formulations, chasing efficiency gains in high-tech farming. Other labs check the environmental side—measuring if regular use shifts pH too far, risking runoff or micronutrient lockout. Chemists keep looking for smarter ways to combine UP with micronutrients, magnesium, or zinc, to create single-shot feeds for specialty horticulture that can knock out two or three plant problems at once.
Toxicity rates in urea phosphate compare to most mainstream fertilizers, but its acidic nature can turn problems up a notch if not managed carefully. Overuse may acidify topsoil and tip nutrient balances, hitting earthworm and microbe populations. Local environmental regulations keep one eye on runoff, since nitrogen and phosphorus leaking into waterways trigger algae blooms and fish kills. Trials in controlled plots have yet to show major chronic toxicity to mammals or wildlife when used at lower rates. Workers in commercial settings need to stay alert to dust and splash risks, staying behind PPE and properly labeled containers.
As more water-stressed regions look to drip systems and as soils continue to swing alkaline in places like southern China or the Mediterranean, demand for dual-nutrient acidifying fertilizers sticks around. Companies are putting R&D dollars into cleaner production, improved granulation, and blends that answer tissue-test feedback from specialty crops. Stricter regulations on environmental safety mean future products pack better labeling, tighter impurity controls, and smarter packaging to cut spills and waste. As crop science moves toward precision farming, expect urea phosphate to form part of tailored solutions, linked with sensors and dosing systems delivering nutrients just when and where roots can grab them.
Urea Phosphate doesn’t make headlines much, but it plays a bigger role than most folks notice. Walk into any warehouse that deals in specialty fertilizers or industrial chemicals, and you’ll probably see it on the shelves. Its real job starts on farms and inside greenhouses, where it quietly boosts crop nutrition.
Plants always need nutrients, but not all soil makes it easy. Some farmers struggle with land that feels more like concrete than earth—high pH, saline issues, low phosphorus. That’s where Urea Phosphate steps in. This white, crystalline powder packs both a nitrogen punch and a solid dose of phosphorus. NPK values aren’t just numbers on a bag—they mean real results, like tomatoes that don’t stay stunted and wheat that stays upright through summer storms.
Plenty of crops hate high pH soil. In these alkaline conditions, regular phosphate fertilizers often lock up, getting stuck in a chemical chokehold. Urea Phosphate brings with it a natural drop in pH—that means roots can finally unlock the nutrients trapped in tough soil. Grapes, potatoes, and greenhouse peppers all do better when their soil isn’t making life complicated.
In regions where irrigation water carries lots of salts, farmers notice yield losses. Traditional fertilizers sometimes add to the salt pile-up. Urea Phosphate breaks away from that pattern, since its mix doesn’t contribute to sodium toxicity. The focus stays on feeding crops, not quietly making soil conditions worse.
City parks and public gardens have figured out, too, that it can rescue tired grass and battered flower beds. With every application, the acidity Urea Phosphate adds helps soils hang on to nutrients instead of washing them away with every rain. Municipal crews see greener results, especially in spots hit hard by road salt.
Outside agriculture, people rarely talk about Urea Phosphate, but this compound finds its way into industrial cleaners. I used to work at a food processing plant where stains and scale on equipment could stall production. The acidic edge in Urea Phosphate attacks scale without attacking the machinery. Safety managers favored it over harsher acids because it kept corrosion down, scraped off limescale faster, and rinsed clean.
Fertilizer run-off and pollution make headlines for the right reasons. Solutions mean more than using less; they require the right kind. Urea Phosphate dissolves easily, so fertigation—feeding plants through irrigation lines—works smoother. Fewer blockages, fewer wasted hours. That efficiency made a difference at my local orchard, where keeping apples watered and fed made or broke a season. They cut back on run-off and used their water smarter.
Sustainable agriculture isn’t just about organics or abandoning science. It's about balance. Urea Phosphate doesn’t solve every farming problem, but it gives farmers and growers a tool that fits with targeted nutrition and less environmental impact. For folks who care about cleaner produce and cleaner water, supporting tools like this matters.
Overuse and bad timing have their price, though. Any fertilizer brings risks if handled without care. Guides and local extension agents help make sure people apply Urea Phosphate right, whether on a ten-acre vineyard or a city rose bed. Sharing local experience helps new growers cut down on mistakes.
Better labeling, smarter recommendations, and clearer guidelines all help. Urea Phosphate’s story keeps growing, right alongside the plants it helps feed.
Walk by any fertilizer shop and you’ll hear the K, the P, and the N tossed around a lot. It doesn’t always make sense unless you’ve spent some time trying to coax green things out of dry dirt. Urea phosphate slips under the radar, but its NPK value—17-44-0—tells you a lot about what comes from that little bag.
Let’s break it down. The “N” here is nitrogen, a big driver for leaves and stems. The “P” is phosphorus, which pushes roots and flowers to work harder. “K,” or potassium, doesn’t show up in this mix. Most fertilizers split the numbers a bit more evenly. Not this one.
Think about growing lettuce in the heat of summer—nitrogen gets green leaves going. Urea phosphate throws in a 17% punch there. Where it really shines, though, hides in the phosphorus. With 44% phosphorus, it gives a root boost unlike most blends offered. In places where soil tests show low phosphorus, or with crops hungry for it—like peppers and tomatoes—people see that kind of difference in the first strong flush of growth.
Most folks choose urea phosphate for one big reason: its mix of available nutrients and its friendly behavior in fertigation systems. The stuff dissolves quickly and doesn’t chalk up pipes or drip lines. In tight greenhouses or big, precision dialed farming setups, that sort of thing makes your day easier—not just for convenience, but for keeping rows fed on schedule. Old standbys like monoammonium phosphate might feed just as well, but they leave a gunk that slows pumps and makes you regret skipping maintenance.
Another trick up the sleeve: its acidity. This isn’t just some nerdy number. Hard water with high bicarbonate will clog emitters, lock up nutrients, and leave white crusts on your tomato cages. Urea phosphate helps cut through that, drops the pH, and keeps more fertilizer available to roots. For growers facing constant water troubles, that changes everything. I’ve seen folks turn around sickly crops just by swapping to this option.
With all that phosphorus, sometimes you can overdo it. Too much of a good thing leads to nutrient tie-ups—micronutrients like zinc or iron get blocked out. The soil test tells the truth. Use it just where the soil calls for it, or you’ll end up with expensive runoff and wasted money.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all fix. Crops like potatoes or fruit trees, which like a little extra potassium, still need help elsewhere. Across larger acreage, growers blend it with potassium sulfate or some other stand-in to give roots what they miss. Watching that balance means better yields and happier fields—simple as that.
With climate getting stranger and fresh water harder to source, nutrient sources that handle hard water and tricky soils will matter more. Something like urea phosphate fits for modern farms chasing efficiency, but it does better with thoughtful management. Not every soil cries out for phosphorus; not every crop can thrive without potassium. The right test, the right mix—that’s where the value shows up, and where waste can be cut from the system.
Choosing the right fertilizer mix starts with checking what the ground and the plant actually need. Urea phosphate’s strong numbers work if you match them to the right job.
Growing food takes both skill and luck from the weather. Farmers and gardeners everywhere keep looking for ways to get stronger crops without wasting money or harming the planet. Urea phosphate, a white, water-loving fertilizer, keeps popping up as a helpful trick for those using drip or micro-irrigation—systems built to deliver just the right splash of nutrients with every drop.
Many have dealt with less-than-ideal water in their fields: water loaded with minerals, leading to crusted valves or salty soil. Urea phosphate stands out not just for its high-nitrogen content, but also for how it tackles two issues at once. First, it gives the soil a boost of both nitrogen and phosphorous, the building blocks for healthy root and leaf growth. Second, its slightly acidic touch curbs mineral build-up in irrigation pipes, fighting clogging without fancy filters or chemicals.
Mixing up urea phosphate isn’t rocket science, though it does call for attention to detail. I’ve spent mornings out in the shed with clean water, gently pouring granules into a mixing tank, ensuring every bit dissolves properly. Lumps only lead to stoppages later on. Once dissolved, the solution flows straight into the irrigation system through an injector—both hand-pump models or automated feeders can work.
Sticking to a measured hand means checking the crop’s nutrient needs and the system’s flow rates. Too strong a mix leads to waste or, worse, burnt roots. Crops like tomatoes, lettuce, or citrus respond well if you keep concentrations dialed in, sticking to the recommendations found by both local experience and soil-test results. Anyone who guesses at dosage risks both poor yield and run-off—neither helps the bank account by the season’s end.
Using acidic fertilizers like urea phosphate isn’t worry-free. Acid in the wrong balance can throw off fragile soils, especially in places already leaning on the sour side. A handful of my neighbors burned young plants before they realized their well water already had low pH readings. Every serious grower learns to check water and soil pH if they plan to add more acid to their system.
Another wrinkle: mixing urea phosphate with calcium or magnesium-rich compounds in the same tank will leave unhelpful residue or clogs. Years of problem-solving have taught us to keep those separate—running acidic and mineral feeds on different days or lines.
Water grows more precious, and fertilizer prices keep climbing. Urea phosphate appeals as a tool to squeeze more out of existing resources, but good results don’t come from rushing. Real savings show up when people invest a little time to test their systems, follow dosing recommendations, and watch their plants closely rather than aim for shortcuts.
The best results come from putting knowledge into practice: checking water and soil chemistry, paying attention while mixing, and tuning irrigation schedules to weather, crop, and soil needs. Applying urea phosphate works best when treated as part of a conversation between grower, soil, and plant, rather than as a quick chemical fix.
Farming pulls you into a world where every decision—soil, seed, water, and nutrients—echoes in the health of a crop. Plenty of folks in agriculture keep searching for that balance: feeding fields enough without wasting resources or harming the environment. Urea Phosphate has been getting noticed among the sea of fertilizer options, and a lot of that comes down to how it handles two important needs in the soil—nitrogen and phosphorus.
You walk into a field and know that nitrogen keeps plants pushing up green leaves and strong stems, while phosphorus drives root development and earlier maturity. Many fertilizers deliver just one at a time. Standard urea will give a dose of nitrogen. Others, like superphosphates, fill in the phosphorus. Urea Phosphate manages to load both in one application, and that can make a difference, especially for crops that take off fast early in the season and need both nutrients from the get-go.
Not every farmer fights the same battles when it comes to soil. Where the dirt runs high on lime or calcareous minerals, phosphorus tends to lock up and slips out of reach for plant roots. Urea Phosphate brings in an acidifying punch, dropping the soil pH right around the root zone. This helps keep phosphorus in a form plants can actually use, even in hard, chalky ground. A lot of stories shared in the farming community speak to a reduction in phosphorus deficiency problems after switching over.
Dragging heavy bags and hauling around dusty powder isn’t anyone’s idea of progress. Urea Phosphate dissolves easily in water, so fertigation systems can deliver a precise mix straight to the root zone through drip lines or sprinklers. On a hot day, I’ve watched irrigation mix with the fertilizer and actually save on labor. Irrigation-based feeding also keeps nutrients closer to the crop and less likely to leach away with heavy watering or rain.
Crops such as vegetables and fruit are sensitive to certain “filler” elements, like sodium and chlorine, which show up in some popular fertilizers. Urea Phosphate stands out because it avoids those elements, so cucumbers, berries, and lettuce don’t face the kind of salt stress that can slow their growth or hurt yields. Anyone focused on greenhouse production or hydroponics gets some peace of mind here, knowing that mixing their nutrients won’t sneak in a damaging contaminant.
A grower watching the markets or the weather wants each pound of fertilizer to pay off. With Urea Phosphate, the fusion of nitrogen and phosphorus bumps up the efficiency of nutrient use. Fields get a better start and recover faster from setbacks. I’ve seen yields go up in plots that used this approach, especially when the weather pulled a fast one and crops needed resilience.
It doesn’t solve every problem in the soil, but Urea Phosphate covers a lot of ground. Farmers and advisors looking for both quick green-up and strong roots can turn to this fertilizer and often spend less time troubleshooting phosphorus tie-up issues. Less lost labor, more flexibility with liquid feeds, and fewer worries about salty residue keeps the operation moving—without sacrificing what matters for the next harvest.
Walking through fields, listening to seasoned growers, you get plenty of questions about mixing chemicals, especially as tight margins and unpredictable weather make every application count. Urea phosphate often comes up. With its strong mix of nitrogen and phosphorus, this fertilizer makes a tempting choice. But tossing a blend into the tank and hoping for the best can lead to clogs, gunky residue, or—worst case—burned leaves and wasted money.
Years of crops taught me there's a reason urea phosphate gets popular in foliar sprays or drip irrigation. It brings a high dose of both N and P, and it keeps water lines cleaner thanks to acidification. That acid effect dissolves minerals in hard water, so emitters and pipes stay free-flowing. But start reaching for other fertilizer bags to mix with it, and things can turn ugly if you’re not careful.
Ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate usually get along well in a tank with urea phosphate. Their chemical makeup keeps precipitation at bay, so you don’t end up clogging sprayers. Calcium-based fertilizers, on the other hand, don’t play so nice. Try combining urea phosphate with calcium nitrate, and you may end up with insoluble salts that block the tiniest emitters in your drip lines. I’ve watched too many growers lose half a day troubleshooting thick sludge in their systems.
Urea phosphate gives leaves a quick hit of available nutrients, especially in combination with micronutrients like zinc and manganese. Just don’t rush to pour it in with every pesticide on the shelf. Acidic solutions make some agrochemicals unstable—glyphosate works better, for example, but copper-based fungicides might break down too fast. Field experience and research agree: Always run a jar test before filling the sprayer. Watch for clumps, sediment, or color changes as a sign things could go wrong.
Shipping in enough urea phosphate for regular use can tempt folks to buy in bulk and store it, too. But once opened, this fertilizer loves to soak up moisture from the air. Lumpy, hard material makes mixing a pain—an airtight drum goes a long way to keep quality up.
Smart growers spend time learning which combinations work and which don’t, since plugging a multi-acre fertigation system mid-season is the kind of problem that can knock out profit in a hurry. Sticking to acid-tolerant micronutrients with urea phosphate keeps things simple, and keeping calcium sources and phosphates apart avoids a lot of headaches. If a new product lands on the farm, test it first in a jar or a bucket—maybe even overnight—to see if anything settles out.
If someone’s dead set on using both calcium and phosphorus-based fluids, running them through separate fertigation lines, or at different times of day, keeps one from gumming up the other. In foliar sprays, water quality matters, too—softer, low-pH water brings less risk. Sampling system water each season pays for itself, and troubleshooting starts with keeping notes about what was mixed, in what order, at what rates.
Fertilizer compatibility isn’t just chemistry; it’s about knowing how ingredients react in real-world conditions. Getting it right saves money, time, and crop quality. Urea phosphate brings strong tools to the table as long as it’s mixed with the right partners, and never left to chance. Listening, testing, and sharing with other growers keeps the fields, and the bottom line, in stronger shape.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | phosphoric diamide |
| Other names |
UP Urea Phosphoric Acid Phosphoric acid urea salt Urea phosphate (1:1) |
| Pronunciation | /ˈjʊəriə ˈfɒs.feɪt juː piː/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 4861-19-2 |
| Beilstein Reference | 5906 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:62993 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1201739 |
| ChemSpider | 67885 |
| DrugBank | DB11349 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 01-2119486762-27-XXXX |
| EC Number | 34-13-9 |
| Gmelin Reference | 71459 |
| KEGG | C10612 |
| MeSH | D014508 |
| PubChem CID | 103154 |
| RTECS number | YV9620000 |
| UNII | Z39RMT8EM1 |
| UN number | UN3077 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID7031595 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | CH₇N₂O₅P |
| Molar mass | 158.06 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.8 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Highly soluble |
| log P | -2.59 |
| Vapor pressure | Negligible |
| Acidity (pKa) | 0.2 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 2.0 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.483 |
| Dipole moment | 5.2 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 232 J/(mol·K) |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -2046 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | S01XA40 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | May cause respiratory irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. Causes skin irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, Warning, H319, P264, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| Pictograms | GHS05,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H318: Causes serious eye damage. |
| Precautionary statements | Keep out of reach of children. Read label before use. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 11,200 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): >2,000 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | Not listed |
| PEL (Permissible) | 10 mg/m³ |
| REL (Recommended) | 36 kg/ha |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Phosphoric acid Urea Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate Diammonium phosphate Monoammonium phosphate |
