Ammonium nitrate is mainly used as a fertilizer in agricultural production. It occupies a special place among mineral fertilizers, since it contains two forms of nitrogen readily available to plants.
Composition
The main active ingredient of this fertilizer is nitrogen. It is its content that determines the use of ammonium nitrate in the implementation of agronomic and garden reclamation measures. Its mass fraction in this fertilizer reaches 35%.
The action of nitrogen is enhanced by sulfur, which is part of the fat. In addition, various micronutrients are included in nitrate, but they already do not belong to active substances, but to impurities.
In appearance, fat is a white granular substance with a grayish tint.
The physiological role of nitrogen and potassium
Nitrogen is the main macroelement necessary for any plants. It participates in the process of their growth and development, increases their immunity, improves the protein content and its quality, and helps to increase productivity.
Potassium nitrate also includes potassium. It is necessary to increase immunity, helps strengthen roots, makes plants more resistant to drought and frost, improves the taste and appearance of an economically valuable part of the crop.
Types, advantages and disadvantages
The properties and use of ammonium nitrate are largely determined by the form of fertilizer produced. The industry produces the following types of it:
- Ammonia simple is used to provide crops with nitrogen at the initial stages of development.
- Ammonia brand "B". It is classified into two grades. It is mainly intended for growing indoor plants and seedlings. Has a small packaging.
- Potash. In addition to nitrogen as a macronutrient, its composition also includes potassium. It is used in spring in pre-seed dressing, as well as top dressing during periods of budding, flowering and fruit formation. It is widely used for fruits and vegetables.
- Limestone. Ammonium nitrate is used not only to enrich the soil with nitrogen, but in this case also to deoxidize it, since it also contains magnesium and calcium, in addition to the nitrogen and potassium previously considered. It is divided into two varieties: granular and simple. The first has better safety. The use of lime-ammonium nitrate is enhanced by fuel oil, which contributes to its better absorption by plants.
- Calcium It contains a high content of this element, it is used mainly in the case of the beginning of root decay due to a lack of calcium.
- Magnesium It is mainly used on legumes and vegetables.
- Sodium. Includes the element of the same name, suitable for any type of soil.
Advantages of fertilizer:
- contributes to the enrichment of soil with nitrogen in an easily accessible form for plants;
- enhances the growth and development of plants under which it was used;
- increases productivity and improves crop quality;
- contributes to the improvement of photosynthetic reactions;
- It has granules that are easily soluble in water, so it can be used not only in dry but also in dissolved forms.
Disadvantages of ammonium nitrate:
- possesses explosive properties, which leads to the use of ammonium nitrate in pyrotechnics;
- has a high level of fire hazard;
- the fertilizer is highly hygroscopic, it is capable of substantially caking;
- if it enters the green parts of plants, it can cause burns;
- contributes to increased accumulation of nitrates in those crops that are most sensitive to the nitrate form of nitrogen.
Use on different soils
The use of ammonium nitrate fertilizer is slightly different depending on the type of soil. This is due to the fact that the fat itself is physiologically acidic. When applied to various acidic soils, including podzolic soils, it is necessary to use calcium carbonate at a dose of 75% of the saltpeter dose. On neutral and alkaline types, this additional application is not carried out.
Before use, if caking of the fertilizer is observed, it must be broken before giving it a friable structure. This is due to the fact that in large lumps it will dissolve a sufficiently long time period and can cause burns to plants.
The use of nitrate in the spring helps to strengthen the immunity of plants.
Nitrate accumulation
Nitrogen in ammonium nitrate is in two forms - ammonium and nitrate. The latter substances are necessary for the nutrition of various plants. But at the same time, one needs to pay attention to their content, since when they are ingested excessively, they turn into nitrites, nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic in nature.
Therefore, when applying ammonium nitrate fertilizer in the garden or in any other place, it is necessary to strictly observe the recommended standards. Pumpkin and gourds are able to accumulate a significant amount of nitrates, so it is better to fertilize them with other forms of nitrogen fertilizers, in which nitrogen is only in ammonium form, such as urea.
Other plants need to stop feeding the considered fat two weeks before harvesting.
Application Rate
The use of ammonium nitrate in the country should be in compliance with mandatory norms, so as not to harm the plants and not contribute to the excessive accumulation of excess nitrates by the economically valuable part of the crop. Before planting various agricultural and ornamental crops, an aqueous solution is used, introduced to a depth of 12 cm. The concentration in this case is achieved by dissolving 30-40 g of the considered fat / 10 l of water.
In early spring, ammonium nitrate can be applied in bulk. If seedlings are planted, then the rate of its application is 2-3 g / well. In the soil intended for planting root crops, 25-30 g of the fertilizer in question per 1 square. meter. If earlier in this area nitrogen fertilizers were not used, then the dose can be increased to 50 g.
When using ammonium nitrate in the form of top dressing, it is used in the following dosages:
- root crops - 5-7 g / sq. m, carried out twice during the growing season - before flowering and after the ovary is formed;
- other vegetables - 5-10 g / sq. m by filling in the recesses in the soil of granules 10-14 days after germination on the surface;
- fruit trees and shrubs - 15-20 g / sq. m (undiluted fertilizer - when leaves appear, divorced - during the growing season);
- flowers are fed with a solution prepared at the rate of 10 peas per 1 liter of water (roses - 1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water).
Application Tips
The instruction for the use of ammonium nitrate takes into account that the fertilizer should be used when taking into account the agrochemical properties of the soil, how much nitrogen it contains, as well as meteorological conditions and the type of plants. If agriculture is carried out in a region with a sufficiently high humidity, then fertilizer is used in spring and autumn. In other regions, they are limited only by spring main feeding.
For perennial plants, top dressing is carried out in the second year. To do this, make a groove having a depth of 10 cm, and granules are placed there at the rate of 10 g per 1 sq. m, after which they fall asleep. Instead of dry use, it is possible to spray the prepared solution at the rate of 20 g per 10 l of water. In this case, the application should be carried out under the root in order to prevent burns of leaves and stems.
Use in pyrotechnics
As noted earlier, ammonium nitrate is used not only in agronomy or gardening, but it can also be used in pyrotechnics. It is of two types - natural and synthetic, obtained chemically. The first found its application as mineral tuks, and the second became widespread as a component of pyrotechnic products. Ammonites and ammonals are made from it, which are explosives used in industry. Potassium nitrate, which is found in potassium nitrate, acts as one of the ingredients in black powder.
Storage conditions
The composition of ammonium nitrate includes a highly volatile element - nitrogen. In this regard, the fertilizer should be stored in a sealed transport container without visible signs of damage. In the hot season, fat should be stored in a cool room with good ventilation. This is due to the fact that the ammonium salt in the composition of ammonium nitrate is capable of exploding when exposed to elevated temperatures (exceeding +32.5 ° C).
Due to the fact that the fertilizer is sufficiently hygroscopic, it is necessary to carry out its storage in dry rooms. In bags in which ammonium nitrate is stored, it is better to place water absorbers.
In the process of implementing this process should be observed commodity neighborhood. Flammable substances, acids, coal, wood, oil products, lubricants, sawdust should not be nearby. In warehouses smoking is prohibited, as well as the use of fixtures with an open flame.
There are also requirements for a minimum distance to walls and heat sources during storage of ammonium nitrate. So, in the first case it is at least 0.2 meters, and in the second - 1.5 m.
Finally
The use of ammonium nitrate is possible on most soil types for any crops. However, under some of them - melons and gourds - it is better to introduce ammonium forms of nitrogen fertilizers, since excessive amounts of nitrates may form. On acidic soils, simultaneously with the addition of ammonium nitrate, liming should be performed, since it will contribute to an even greater acidification of the medium. The substance is hygroscopic and fire hazard, must be stored in compliance with the commodity neighborhood with various explosive and fire hazard substances. In addition, some components of the substance in question are part of explosive substances, which leads to their use in pyrotechnic products.