Ammonia water is a quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, and mastering the correct application method is very important

Ammonia water is a liquid nitrogen fertilizer made by dissolving ammonia gas in water. Its main component is ammonium hydroxide; the aqueous solution is alkaline and has a pronounced pungent odor. The nitrogen content of agricultural ammonia water is generally between 15% and 17%. It is a quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer and can be absorbed and used by crops relatively quickly after being applied to the soil.

Compared with solid nitrogen fertilizers, ammonia water has the advantages of taking effect quickly and costing relatively little, and it is used in both grain crop and vegetable production. Its drawbacks are also quite obvious: it is highly volatile, and ammonia readily escapes from the liquid surface, causing nitrogen loss. It is not very convenient to store and transport, and improper application can easily burn seeds and roots.

The key to applying ammonia water is deep placement with soil covering. When used as a base fertilizer, it can be applied in furrows or holes, and the soil should be covered immediately after application; when used as a topdressing, it should first be diluted with water and then applied with irrigation water or in furrows at a certain distance from the roots, avoiding direct contact between the fertilizer liquid and the plants. Ammonia water should also not be mixed with strongly alkaline fertilizers such as plant ash or lime, otherwise the volatilization of ammonia will be intensified and fertilizer efficiency reduced.

For storing ammonia water, choose well-sealed, corrosion-resistant containers and place them in a cool, dark place to prevent ammonia volatilization caused by sunlight and high temperatures. After each use, the container should be tightly closed promptly. Overall, as long as the key points of deep application, dilution, and sealed storage are followed, ammonia water is still an economical and practical nitrogen fertilizer, and it can also be used together with organic fertilizers, compound fertilizers, and so on to further improve the fertilization effect.