The Decomposition of Urea in Soils

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Abstract
The decomposition of urea has been investigated in 59 soil samples of extremely varied character. Urea was decomposed readily in all and very rapidly in most of the samples.In mountain and heath soils the decomposition was generally active, especially in soil tests. Strongly acid peat samples (pH. 3·1 to 3·3) decomposed from 0·44 to 0·86 per cent, of their own dry weights of urea in 24 hours at 22° to 23° C.In solution and soil tests samples from permanent pastures produced a more rapid decomposition than those from cultivated land. In soil tests with pasture samples quantities of urea as large as 1 per cent, of the dry weight of soil were converted to ammonia in 24 hours at 22° to 23° C. Fertile arable soils produced a relatively slow decomposition in soil tests.