InfoSAWIT, MEDAN – Choosing the right nitrogen fertilizer is a crucial factor in improving oil palm productivity. Djan Muhayat, a practitioner at the Palm Oil Research Center (PPKS) Medan, explained that many farmers still question the differences between urea and ZA fertilizers.

Both fertilizers serve as nitrogen (N) sources but differ significantly in composition and application.

Urea contains approximately 46% nitrogen, while ZA contains at least 20.8% nitrogen, based on Indonesian National Standards (SNI).

“The key factor is nitrogen content. Urea has higher nitrogen, making it more efficient in terms of volume,” he explained.

However, ZA offers an advantage due to its sulfur (S) content, which is beneficial for certain soil conditions.

“ZA is generally more suitable for peat soils because of its sulfur content, although application must be carefully managed in acidic peat,” he added.

Despite the differences, both fertilizers can be effectively used depending on soil conditions and fertilization strategies. When calculated properly, their results can be equivalent.

However, ZA requires a larger volume due to lower nitrogen content, impacting logistics such as storage capacity. (T2)