What types of nitrogen fertilizer are there? A complete guide in one article
What types of nitrogen fertilizer are there? What are their characteristics? We ask knowledgeable readers to help explain. The types of nitrogen fertilizer include ammonium bicarbonate, urea, ammonium chloride and ammonium nitrate. Zhongdi Network has compiled their characteristics and listed them below for readers' reference. 1. Characteristics of ammonium bicarbonate: generally ammonium bicarbonate has a nitrogen content of about 17%, and is...
What types of nitrogen fertilizer are there? What are their characteristics? We ask knowledgeable readers to help explainThe types of nitrogen fertilizer include ammonium bicarbonate, urea, ammonium chloride and ammonium nitrate. Zhongdi Network has compiled their characteristics and listed them below for readers' reference.
1. Characteristics of ammonium bicarbonate:
Generally, ammonium bicarbonate has a nitrogen content of about 17%. It is a white crystalline substance with unstable chemical properties, is prone to absorbing moisture and decomposing, and volatilizes easily. It has a strong pungent, eye-irritating ammonia smell. The greater the humidity and the higher the temperature, the faster it decomposes. It dissolves easily in water and shows an alkaline reaction (pH 8.2-8.4).
Ammonium bicarbonate is an unstable compound, and at normal pressure it decomposes completely when the temperature reaches 70°C. At an air temperature of 20°C, the loss rates after being stored in the open for 1 day, 5 days and 10 days are 9%, 48% and 74% respectively. In a humid environment it readily absorbs water, deliquesces and cakes (caking itself is a manifestation of slow decomposition). During storage and application, corresponding measures should be taken to prevent volatilization losses.
It is suitable for all kinds of soil and crops, and is best applied as a base fertilizer. When used as a top dressing, care should be taken to apply it deeply and cover it with soil.
2. Characteristics of urea:
Generally, urea has a nitrogen content of about 46%. Ordinary urea is a white crystalline substance with strong hygroscopicity. Most urea currently produced is in the form of translucent granules and has been treated to prevent moisture absorption. At an air temperature of 10-20°C, its hygroscopicity is weak; as the temperature rises and humidity increases, its hygroscopicity also strengthens.
Urea is a neutral fertilizer, and long-term application has no adverse effect on soil. After being applied to the soil, it is easily hydrolyzed into ammonium carbonate by the action of urease secreted by soil microorganisms and then absorbed and utilized by crops. The hydrolysis rate of urea is related to soil acidity, humidity and temperature, and is also affected by factors such as soil type, degree of maturation and application depth. Under normal conditions, the time required for urea to fully hydrolyze into ammonium carbonate is: about 10 days at an air temperature of 10°C, 4-5 days at 20°C, and about 2 days at 30°C. Therefore, urea has a relatively slow fertilizer effect, and when used as a top dressing it should be applied appropriately earlier.
Urea is suitable for all kinds of soil and crops, and can be used as a base fertilizer, top dressing and foliar spray (spray concentration 1-2%).
3. Characteristics of ammonium chloride:
Ammonium chloride generally has a nitrogen content of about 24-25%. It is a white crystalline substance, dissolves easily in water, has low hygroscopicity, does not cake, has good physical properties, and is convenient to store. Ammonium chloride is acidic and is also a physiologically acidic fertilizer.
Ammonium chloride should not be applied to acidic soil, saline-alkali land or chlorine-sensitive crops (fruit trees, tobacco, etc.). Chloride ions have a certain inhibitory effect on nitrifying bacteria, and after application to the soil, the nitrification and leaching loss of nitrogen is weaker than that of other nitrogen fertilizers. Therefore, ammonium chloride is a relatively good nitrogen fertilizer for paddy fields.
When applying ammonium chloride, it should be combined with watering, and efforts should be made to leach chloride ions down to the lower soil layers to reduce their adverse effects on crops. Ammonium chloride should not be applied as a seed fertilizer.
4. Characteristics of ammonium nitrate:
Ammonium nitrate generally has a nitrogen content of about 33-35%. Ammonium nitrate comes in two forms, crystalline and granular. The former has very strong hygroscopicity, while the latter has slightly weaker hygroscopicity because its surface is coated with a moisture-proof agent. Ammonium nitrate dissolves easily in water and has a neutral pH.
Ammonium nitrate contains both ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), which has relatively low mobility in the soil, and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), which has relatively high mobility. Both can be well absorbed and utilized by crops. Therefore, ammonium nitrate is a good nitrogen fertilizer that leaves no residue of any substance in the soil and is a physiologically neutral fertilizer.
Ammonium nitrate is suitable as a top dressing for dryland crops, and applying it in small amounts several times is more economical. It should not be applied to paddy fields, nor used as a base fertilizer or seed fertilizer.
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