How Much Urea Fertilizer for 1 Hectare of Corn
For one hectare of yellow corn, you will need two sacks of urea fertilizer for side dressing. You apply this 21 to 30 days after planting to give your crop the nitrogen it needs to grow tall and green. The exact amount depends on your variety of corn and whether you use seed treatments to lower your costs.
"PROBE how much urea for 1 hectare of corn?" Asked by a farmer with 1 hectare of Corn, yellow / field (Mais) in Ilagan, Isabela.
The Right Amount of Urea Fertilizer for Corn
For one hectare of yellow corn, you generally need two sacks of urea fertilizer for side dressing. This rule applies well to farms in Ilagan, Isabela and across the Cagayan Valley. The exact total depends on the variety of corn you choose to plant.
If you plant hybrid yellow corn, agriculturists recommend six to eight sacks of complete fertilizer 14 14 14 as a basal application. You apply this first batch at planting. Then, you follow up with two sacks of urea later in the season.
If you prefer an open pollinated variety, your basal need drops to four to six sacks of complete fertilizer. But, you still need those two sacks of urea for side dressing. Nitrogen is the main food for leaf growth. It ensures your plants grow tall and strong before they start forming the corn kernel.
The complete fertilizer provides phosphorus and potassium. Phosphorus helps the roots grow deep into the soil. Potassium makes the stalk strong so it does not fall over during strong winds or typhoons. The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 5 even suggests adding one extra bag of muriate of potash for hybrid corn. You split this between planting and the vegetative stage.
Preparing the Field for Pagtatanim ng Mais
Good fertilizer results start with good land preparation. Pagtatanim ng mais requires well plowed and harrowed soil. You want a fine tilth so the seeds make good contact with the earth.
Before you plant, you should also check your soil acidity. If your soil pH falls below 5.3, it is too acidic. Acidic soil locks up nutrients. Because of this, your plants will not absorb the urea fertilizer properly. Agriculturists advise broadcasting 400 kilos of agricultural lime per hectare. You must do this three to four weeks before planting.
Adding 10 to 20 bags of organic fertilizer during land preparation is also a smart move. Organic matter holds moisture in the soil. It also gives the roots a friendly environment to spread out.
When and How to Apply Urea
Timing your nitrogen application is very important. You should apply your urea fertilizer 21 to 30 days after planting. At this stage, the corn is growing rapidly. It needs a massive amount of nitrogen to build its stalk and leaves.
First, you must place the fertilizer four to five centimeters away from the base of the plant. Next, you cover it immediately by hilling up the soil. Farmers call this step paggagahok. Covering the urea stops the nitrogen from turning into ammonia gas and floating away. It also buries small weeds that compete with your crop.
You must never broadcast urea over the top of the plants once they have a leaf whorl. The fertilizer granules will fall inside the leaves and burn the plant tissue. Side dressing and covering the fertilizer is always the best method.
Saving on Your Urea Fertilizer Price
Chemical inputs take a large share of your farming budget. The urea fertilizer price goes up and down depending on global markets. In September 2024, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority listed the average price at 1,609 pesos per 50 kilo bag.
You can cut this expense by using a seed treatment called Bio N. Bio N is a microbial inoculant developed Biotech. You simply mix the powder with your corn seeds before you sow them.
Using five to six sachets of Bio N per hectare can replace two full bags of urea. Each sachet costs around 100 pesos. As a result, you spend about 600 pesos instead of over 3,000 pesos. The bacteria in the powder help the plant roots pull nitrogen directly from the air. This is a proven way to lower your costs while keeping your yield high.
Our app gives you a cropping calendar that dates every task from your lot's own day zero.
- You can track your fertilizer inventory and record your expenses easily.
- Get weather forecasts for your exact location to time your side dressing perfectly.
Protecting Your Crop from Pests
A well fed plant is stronger, but it still needs protection from insects. The asian corn borer is a major pest for yellow corn in the Philippines. The larvae tunnel into the stalks and ears, which ruins the corn kernel.
You should scout your fields regularly. Look for small holes in the leaves or sawdust like droppings near the stalk. Catching the pest early makes control much easier. Proper fertilizer timing helps the plant outgrow some of the early damage.
Weather and Harvesting
The weather in Isabela plays a big role in how your fertilizer works. During the wet season, heavy rains can wash away your urea fertilizer if you do not cover it well. In the dry season, uncovered urea evaporates into the hot air.
Always try to apply your side dress when the soil is moist but not flooded. After the vegetative stage, the plant shifts its energy to producing the ear. A steady supply of nutrients ensures the ears fill out completely.
You can also use a leaf color chart to check if your corn needs more nitrogen. If the reading falls below four, the plants are hungry. In that case, you might need an extra bag of urea. But always rely on the chart rather than guessing. Too much nitrogen makes the plant soft and more attractive to pests.
