The top 3 fertilizers used in agriculture are urea, DAP (diammonium phosphate) and NPK. Urea feeds plants nitrogen. DAP feeds them phosphorus, with a bit of nitrogen. NPK gives them nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in one bag.
Which one you need depends on three things: what your soil is missing, what you are growing, and what stage the crop is at.
In agriculture, fertilizer is essential to the world’s food supplies. The soil loses nutrients with each crop. Crops are unable to develop properly when the soil gets less productive over time. Farmers depend on fertilizer to restore nutrients and maintain high yields as a result.
Nowadays, farming involves more than just applying fertilizer. It also involves making the most effective use of the appropriate nutrients. The types of fertilizers used in agriculture, how farmers apply them, and how contemporary farming is increasing fertilizer efficiency will all be covered in this guide.
Read futher to understand each fertilizer in plain terms, shows when to use it, and points out the mistakes that quietly eat into your budget.
Urea, DAP and NPK at a glance
| Fertilizer | Grade (N-P2O5-K2O) | What it does | When to use it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urea | 46-0-0 | Nitrogen for leaves and stems | During active growth, often in two or three doses | Nitrogen lost to the air if left on the surface |
| DAP | 18-46-0 | Phosphorus for roots and an early start, plus some nitrogen | At or before sowing, near the seed row | Seed damage if too much touches the seed |
| NPK | Varies, e.g. 15-15-15 | All three main nutrients in one product | Mostly at sowing, sometimes later | Picking a grade without a soil test |
How the three work together in one season
It helps to picture a typical wheat field. At sowing, the young plants need phosphorus to build roots, so the farmer puts down DAP or an NPK blend near the seed. A few weeks later the crop starts growing fast and needs nitrogen, so urea goes on as a top-dressing, often in two rounds. If the soil test shows low potassium, potash goes in too.
That is why these three are not really rivals. Most farms use two or all three in the same season, each at the moment the crop needs it.
1. Urea: the nitrogen workhorse
Urea is 46% nitrogen. No other common solid fertilizer packs in more. Nitrogen is what makes leaves and stems grow, so urea is a staple for wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane and leafy crops.
Because it is so concentrated, you haul and store less product for the same amount of nitrogen. For a farm or a distributor, that saving adds up. Learn more in our guide to nitrogen fertilizer.
Getting the most out of urea
- Get it into the soil. Left on the surface, especially on warm, moist or alkaline soil, part of the nitrogen escapes into the air as ammonia. Work it in, or apply it just before rain or irrigation.
- Split the dose. Two or three smaller applications match what the crop can take up far better than one big one.
- Use treated urea when you can’t work it in. Urea with a urease inhibitor slows the conversion and cuts losses.
- Don’t overdo it. Extra nitrogen is wasted money, it can leach into water, and over time it makes soil more acidic.
For rates and methods, see how to use urea as fertilizer and liquid vs granular urea. A fun fact: in 1828 Friedrich Wöhler made urea from inorganic materials, the first time an organic compound was made that way.
2. DAP: phosphorus for strong roots
DAP, or diammonium phosphate, is graded 18-46-0. That means 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphate (P2O5). It is one of the most traded phosphate fertilizers in the world because it is concentrated, dissolves in water and is easy to handle.
Phosphorus gives seedlings strong roots and a good start. That is why DAP usually goes on at sowing, not later in the season.
Using DAP the right way
- Put it near the roots. Phosphorus hardly moves in soil, so band it close to the seed row where young roots can find it.
- Keep big doses off the seed. As DAP dissolves it can release a little ammonia, which may hurt germinating seeds if a lot is placed right next to them.
- Count its nitrogen. The 18% nitrogen in DAP is part of your crop’s total, so you may need less urea later.
Buying DAP for import or distribution? Visit our DAP fertilizer supply page.
3. NPK: all three nutrients in one bag
NPK fertilizers carry the three main plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). The numbers on the bag, such as 15-15-15 or 20-10-10, tell you the percentage of N, P2O5 and K2O inside.
Potassium is the part people forget. It helps plants handle drought and disease, and it improves the size and quality of fruit and grain.
You will come across two kinds:
- Compound NPK: every granule holds all three nutrients, so the spread is even across the field.
- Blended NPK: separate granules mixed together. It is flexible and often cheaper, but granules of different sizes can separate while being moved.
Custom formulas can also be made for a particular crop or soil. To read the numbers with confidence, see our guide to NPK ratios, or explore NPK fertilizer grades.
The Important Role of Fertilizer in Traditional Agriculture
Nutrients are necessary for plants to develop strongly and healthily. The three most important nutrients are potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. They are frequently referred to by farmers as N, P, and K.
Crop development slows down and harvest quality decreases in the absence of sufficient fertilization. For this reason, agricultural fertilizer is now necessary for both large plantations and small farms.
Which Fertilizers Are Used Today by Farmers?
What fertilizer do farmers use on a daily basis is a common question. Climate, soil type, and crop type all affect the response. In order to satisfy plant needs, most farms, however, use a mix of fertilizers.
Four main kinds of fertilizer are commonly used in modern agriculture. These consist of liquid, compound, chemical, and organic fertilizers. Each kind has distinct advantages and functions best under different conditions.
Where does potash fit in?
If you rank fertilizers by nutrient, potash earns a spot next to urea and DAP. Muriate of potash (MOP) is about 60% K2O and is the world’s main source of potassium. Farmers apply it on its own where soil is low in potassium, or get their potassium through an NPK grade instead.
Read what potash is and how it is used, or see our MOP fertilizer page.
How to choose the right fertilizer
- Test your soil first. It tells you what is actually missing, so you don’t pay for nutrients the soil already has.
- Think about the crop stage. Phosphorus matters most at the start, nitrogen when growth takes off, and potassium later for quality.
- Compare cost per kilo of nutrient, not per tonne. In September 2026, DAP cost about twice as much per tonne as urea ($800.60 vs $407.50, World Bank). But they deliver different nutrients, so the price per tonne alone tells you little. Our urea price guide explains the numbers.
- Plan the whole season. Many farmers use DAP or NPK at sowing, then urea later.
- Consider organic options too. Manure and blood and bone fertilizer build up organic matter but release nutrients slowly. Compare them in organic vs chemical fertilizers.
Every crop has its own needs. For one example, see our guide to the best fertilizer for sugarcane.
The Value of Fertilizers with Micronutrients
Did you know that micronutrient fertilizers are just as vital for the best possible health of plants as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers? These fertilizers include trace elements that are necessary for certain plant metabolic processes, such as iron, zinc, copper, and manganese.
Crop output and quality can be greatly impacted by micronutrient deficiencies, which can cause yellowing leaves, slowed development, and decreased fruit production. You may take the right steps to correct these weaknesses and guarantee that plants are happy and healthy by being aware of the important role of micronutrient fertilizers.
Various Fertilizer Types with Slow Release
Nutrients are necessary for plants to develop healthily and yield superior yields. Giving all the nutrients at once isn’t usually the greatest course of action, though. When plants require nutrients, slow-release fertilizers provide them gradually.
These fertilizers can enhance nutrient use and decrease nutrient loss. The soil, weather, crop, and fertilizer type all affect the outcome, though.
Agriculture uses a variety of slow-release fertilizers.
Polymer-coated fertilizers: These fertilizers have a unique covering that regulates nutrient delivery. The rate at which nutrients are released can be influenced by moisture and temperature.
Sulfur-coated urea: A layer of sulfur is applied to urea in this fertilizer. Nitrogen release into the soil is slowed down by the covering.
Organic fertilizers : These are fertilizers that are made from organic materials. The materials decompose in the soil and release nutrients.
There are benefits to all types. The right choice depends on the crop, soil condition, climate and nutrient needs. The right fertilizer can help farmers better manage nutrients, and reduce the need for frequent applicaitons.
Farmers can also learn about traditional and modern farming techniques to know what changes have occurred in farming methods over time.
Mistakes that waste money
- Leaving urea on the soil surface in warm, dry weather
- Putting a lot of DAP right against the seed
- Buying the same NPK grade every year out of habit, without a soil test
- Storing fertilizer somewhere damp, so it cakes into lumps
- Applying more than the crop can use
Buying urea, DAP or NPK in bulk
If you import or distribute fertilizer, a clear specification saves you from disputes and delays later. Make sure it covers:
- Product and grade, for example urea 46% granular or NPK 15-15-15
- Quality limits such as granule size, moisture and, for urea, biuret
- Packaging: bulk, big bags or 50 kg bags
- Quantity, shipping schedule and destination port
- Delivery terms (for example FOB or CIF) and the inspection you want
Check your country’s registration and import rules for fertilizers, and arrange independent inspection at loading. Our guide on how to assess fertilizer suppliers before importing covers the checks step by step.
Agromer is a distributor for a major NPK fertilizer factory in Europe, including custom formulas. We trade urea with major refineries on spot and contract terms, and supply DAP and other fertilizers to importers and distributors. Browse our fertilizer range, or send us your specification for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top 3 fertilizers used in agriculture?
Urea, DAP and NPK. Urea gives plants nitrogen, DAP gives them phosphorus plus a little nitrogen, and NPK gives nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium together. Potash (MOP) is just as important if you count by nutrient, because it is the main source of potassium.
Why is urea used so much?
Urea is 46% nitrogen, more than any other common solid fertilizer. You move and store less product for the same amount of nitrogen, which keeps costs down. It works on most crops, as long as it gets into the soil quickly instead of sitting on the surface.
When should I apply DAP?
At sowing or just before. Phosphorus helps young roots, and it barely moves in the soil, so place DAP close to the seed row. Just keep large amounts out of direct contact with the seed.
Can I mix urea and DAP?
Yes, farmers blend them all the time. The mix pulls in moisture faster than either product on its own, so blend it shortly before you spread it and keep it dry.
How do I pick the right NPK ratio?
Start with a soil test and think about your crop. The three numbers on the bag are the percentages of N, P2O5 and K2O. A balanced grade like 15-15-15 suits fields that need all three. Other grades lean towards nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium.
What happens if I use too much fertilizer?
You waste money, you can burn seedlings, and the extra nutrients can wash into rivers and groundwater. Too much nitrogen over many years also makes soil more acidic. Use what the soil test and the crop call for.