# Inta study on nitrogen loss in Argentine maize

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/inta-study-on-nitrogen-loss-in-argentine-maize
> Updated: 2026-09-10T14:00:13.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Researchers from the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (Inta) in Argentina have conducted studies across various regions, including Paraná, Balcarce, Corrientes, Manfredi, and Salta, to evaluate nitrogen loss in maize crops.

During the 2024/25 and 2025/26 agricultural seasons, the research demonstrated that applying urea with a urease inhibitor significantly improves fertilization efficiency. While conventional urea resulted in nitrogen losses due to ammonia volatilization of between 13% and 20%, the use of an inhibitor limited these losses to between 5% and 7%.

The inhibitor works by slowing the enzyme-driven transformation of urea into ammonia, allowing more time for rain to incorporate the fertilizer into the soil and making nutrients more available to the corn roots.

## Claims

- The study was conducted by the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (Inta). (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Urease inhibitors can reduce nitrogen loss to the atmosphere by half or more. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Conventional urea lost up to 20% of applied nutrients, while treated urea limited losses to a maximum of 7%. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The field trials took place in the Paraná region of Argentina during the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- In the 2024/25 harvest, conventional urea lost 14% to 15% of nitrogen, while treated urea lost 6% to 7%. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- In the 2025/26 season, conventional urea lost between 13% and 20% of nitrogen, compared to 5% to 6% for the treated formulation. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- In the 2025/26 season, conventional urea lost between 13% and 20% of nitrogen, while the treated formulation lost between 5% and 6%. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The field research was conducted in the Paraná region of Argentina. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: Argentina study: Urease inhibitors reduce nitrogen loss in corn

An Argentine study shows that urease inhibitors can reduce nitrogen loss in corn crops by more than half, limiting losses to under 7% compared to 20% with conventional urea.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inta-study-shows-urease-inhibitors-reduce-nitrogen-loss-in-corn

### 2026-09-03: INTA study shows urea inhibitors reduce nitrogen loss in maize

An INTA study shows that urea with a urease inhibitor reduces nitrogen loss in maize from up to 20% to between 5% and 7%, improving fertilization efficiency.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inta-study-shows-urea-inhibitors-reduce-nitrogen-loss-in-maize

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Cite as: Inta study on nitrogen loss in Argentine maize. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/inta-study-on-nitrogen-loss-in-argentine-maize