Ammonium nitrateis the most commonly used mineral nitrogen fertilizer. It is used in the fertilization of both ornamental and cultivated plants. Find out what is the composition of ammonium nitrate, what should be the dosage of nitrate for each group of plants and check the price of this fertilizer. Here's everything you need to know about the action and use of ammonium nitrate.
Ammonium nitrate usually takes the form of white or cream-colored granules
Ammonium nitrate - composition
Ammonium nitrateor ammonium nitrate is one of the most versatile nitrogen fertilizers. It is a s alt of nitric acid and ammonia. Its chemical formula is NH4NO3 .
Nitrogen from this fertilizer is delivered in a quick and gradual form, and everything is related to the composition of ammonium nitrate, in which nitrogen is contained in two forms. The first nitrate form supplies nitrogen to the plant immediately, while the second ammonium form is absorbed by the soil's sorption complex, thus gradually releasing nitrogen to the plant over an extended period of time.
It is also worth knowing thatthe composition of ammonium nitratesold as fertilizer may be enriched with other substances. Producers of ammonium nitrate for ammonium nitrate also add dolomite flour containing calcium and magnesium as a filler. Ammonium nitrate is also used to produce calcium ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer which, apart from nitrate, includes calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate.
Ammonium nitrate - application
Ammonium nitrateis completely soluble in water and very universal, therefore it can be used on all types of soil for all plants.
Ammonium nitrate is a hygroscopic fertilizer, i.e. it absorbs moisture, which can lead to caking of the fertilizer. Therefore, manufacturers of ammonium nitrate create it in the form of granules with a casing that reduces hygroscopicity and, as a result, prevents clumping, which in turn facilitatesuse of ammonium nitrateas a fertilizer.
The use of ammonium nitrateas a fertilizer improves the quality and size of plants, extends the vegetation period of plants and increases their aboveground mass. Ammonium nitrate used in spring allows plants to recover faster after winter.Ammonium nitrate is used by mixing it with the soil or spreading it on the soil surface before the planned rainfall.
Ammonium nitrate - dosage
Ammonium nitrate dosagedepends on the type of plant under which we want to apply this nitrogen fertilizer. If we want to fertilize perennials with ammonium nitrate, it should be done in the spring, the dosage is approx.0.25 kg of fertilizer per 10 m2 of surface. For annual plants it is best to fertilize before growing,ammonium nitrate dosagein this case is about 0.16k g of fertilizer per 10m² of surface. In the case of young ornamental trees and shrubs (up to 4 years), ammonium nitrate should be dosed in the amount of 0.12 kg of fertilizer per 10 m2 of surface.
It should be noted, however, that the above doses are only indicative and should be preceded by an analysis of the soil composition. Only after determining the nitrogen content in the soil, the appropriate doses of ammonium nitrate can be determined.
Ammonium nitrate - price, where to buy
"Ammonium nitrate is usually sold in large quantities.The price of ammonium nitrateis approximately PLN 18 - 20.00 per 10 kg. The price of this fertilizer depends on the producer and the quantity we want to buy - in wholesale or in retail. As a fertilizer, ammonium nitrate is produced, among others. under the names Pulan (Puławska Ammonium S alt) and ZAKsan (Kędzierzyńska Ammonium S alt).These fertilizers are packed in 25, 30 and 50 kg bags. The smallest packages of ammonium nitrate that we managed to find are the Ogrod Start 5 kg ammonium nitrate for PLN 17 and the 1.5 kg ROLIMPEX mineral ammonium nitrate for PLN 8.50. The latter is available in Leroy Merlin stores. As you can see, you can also find ammonium nitrate in small packages, for amateur use on the plot. "
