Ammonium nitrate

Ammonium nitrate (aka ammonium nitrate) is considered one of the most effective nitrogen fertilizers. A kind of “ambulance” for plants in the initial stage of vegetation. Some gardeners do not see the difference between this saltpeter and urea. At first glance, it may seem that fertilizers are similar. However, the percentage of nitrogen in urea is higher.

Ammonium nitrate is used both for soil application and foliar application. And ammonium nitrate requires more careful use, it cannot be used for foliar top dressing and for watering under the root, the dosage should be strictly adhered to, otherwise the plants can get chemical burns. Unlike urea, ammonium nitrate can be actively used not only on light, but also on heavy soils.

And outwardly, these two types differ: urea has a pinkish color, and ammonium nitrate is white, less often yellowish.

What is Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate is a white crystalline substance that is highly soluble in water. It is one of the most popular in agriculture, it has a lot of nitrogen.

Available in the form of granules and powder. Granular ammonium nitrate absorbs less water, does not cake, and is more crumbly when applied dry. It is used for top dressing and pre-sowing tillage.

Composition of ammonium nitrate

Ammonium nitrate (NH₄DO NOT₃) is a nitrogen fertilizer consisting of ammonium and nitrate ions. Contains up to 34% nitrogen 

In addition to nitrogen, it contains sulfur (from 3 to 14%) – it contributes to the absorption of nitrogen by plants.

Properties of ammonium nitrate

Nitrogen in the composition of the fertilizer is responsible for the rapid development and growth of the green mass of the plant, and prevents the appearance of chlorosis. In the soil, the nitrogen contained in ammonium nitrate is absorbed by microorganisms and becomes available to plants.

The introduction of ammonium nitrate enhances the acid reaction of the soil, but only on acidic podzols. Therefore, the introduction of dolomite flour is required in the fall.

The use of ammonium nitrate in the garden and vegetable garden

Ammonium nitrate is applied to most fruit and vegetable crops, except for those that are prone to nitrate accumulation – green crops, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins and radishes (2).

This fertilizer is most effective on serozems and chernozems, as it causes acidification of the soil on them.

making Dates

Ammonium nitrate is applied in the spring to feed fruit, vegetable and flower crops. In the summer, vegetable crops can be fed before flowering and at the beginning of fruit set.

It is important to stop applying ammonium nitrate 2 weeks before harvest and from August on perennial crops so as not to interfere with shoot development (2).

Dosage of application

Ammonium nitrate is applied in dry or liquid form. Regardless of which type of top dressing is chosen, the plants are watered abundantly beforehand. It is impossible for fertilizer to fall on the leaves and stems.

Top dressing with ammonium nitrate is stopped 2 weeks before harvest.

The entry rules are as follows:

• in early spring for digging – 20 – 30 g per 1 sq. m. (on lean soils, the rate can be increased to 50 g per 1 sq. m.);
• for summer feeding of vegetables – 5 – 10 g per 1 sq. m.;
• for root crops – 5 – 7 g per 1 sq. m.;
• for fruit trees and berry bushes – 15 – 20 g per 1 sq. m.;
• when planting seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, watermelons and melons in – 3 – 4 g per hole;
• for liquid feeding of vegetable crops with nitrogen deficiency – 30 – 40 g per 10 liters of water;
• for liquid top dressing under the root of fruit trees (up to 3 times from April to August) – 25-30 g per 10 liters of water.

Methods and rates of application of ammonium nitrate, as a rule, are indicated on the packages. Remember that overfeeding and feeding on dry soil can cause chemical burns on plants.

Application methods

Ammonium nitrate is applied in dry form for digging the soil in spring or into grooves and tree trunks, followed by irrigation. Or, in dry form, they are added to the wells when planting vegetables.

The most effective way is considered to be liquid top dressing under the root in spring and in the first half of summer (3).

Popular questions and answers

We asked about ammonium nitrate agronomist Oleg Ispolatov – he answered the most popular questions of summer residents.

Sources of

1. State catalog of pesticides and agrochemicals permitted for use on the territory of the Federation, 2021. Ministry of Agriculture of the Federation (Ministry of Agriculture of Our Country).
2. Mineev V.G. Agrochemistry. Textbook, 2nd edition, revised and supplemented // M .: MGU Publishing House, KolosS Publishing House, 2004.
3. Yagodin B.A., Zhukov Yu.P., Kobzarenko V.I. Agrochemistry. Edited by B.A. Yagodina // M.: Kolos, 2002.