SCU is manufactured by spraying molten Sulphur onto granular Urea. A Wax top coat is then applied to protect the Sulphur coating and minimize dust during storage, handling and application. Sulphur coating of Urea was developed during the 1960s as a means of reducing nitrogenvolatility loss in rice paddies. Since then, Sulphur-coated fertilizers have been developed as an effective means of supplying slow release nutrition in ornamental ertilizer management programs. SCU is a quality, slow release nitrogen fertilizer developed from this technology.

Nitrogen Release Mechanism and Release Rate

SCU nitrogen is released as soil water moves through the coating. After SCU is applied to the soil, natural weathering causes microscopic cracks in the Sulphur coating. Water moves through the cracks and dissolves a portion of the Urea. The dissolved Urea solution then moves outside of the granule and is available for plant uptake. This process will continue until the Urea inside the coating is depleted. Since SCU nitrogen is released by the action of water, its use is recommended in high moisture situations such as under plastic mulch, in high rainfall or high water table areas, or in irrigated situations. When SCU is applied to the soil, about one tenth of the total nitrogen is immediately available to the plant roots. The rest is released over the 20-90 days after application when plants are actively growing.