Ammonium chloride is a commonly used quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer: uses and key application points

Ammonium chloride is a chlorine-containing ammonium-form nitrogen fertilizer with the chemical formula NH4Cl. It usually appears as small white crystals or granules, is easily soluble in water, its aqueous solution is weakly acidic, and it is slightly hygroscopic. In industry it is often a by-product of the combined soda process, and its nitrogen content is generally around 25 percent. It is a quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, and results appear relatively quickly after application.

In agricultural production, ammonium chloride is suitable for use as a base fertilizer and as a topdressing, and it is especially suitable for application in paddy fields. Rice fields remain flooded for long periods, so chloride ions readily leach downward with water and do not easily accumulate in large amounts in the soil, so the adverse effect on rice growth is relatively small. Therefore, it is one of the nitrogen fertilizer types commonly used in rice fields. When applying it, deep placement with soil covering is preferable to reduce nitrogen volatilization losses.

It should be noted that ammonium chloride is a physiologically acidic fertilizer and contains a relatively large amount of chloride ions, so it should not be used on chlorine-sensitive crops such as tobacco, potato, sweet potato, sugarcane, sugar beet, tea, and grape, otherwise product quality may be affected. Long-term single application on acidic soil will worsen soil acidification, and application on saline-alkali land should also be cautious. It is best used in combination with organic fertilizer and other fertilizers, and it should not be mixed directly with alkaline fertilizers to avoid ammonia volatilization.

Besides use as a fertilizer, ammonium chloride also has a wide range of industrial uses. It can be used to make electrolyte for dry batteries and flux for metal welding, and it is also used in electroplating, printing and dyeing, leather tanning, and pharmaceuticals. During storage it should be placed in a dry, cool place, with attention to moisture protection, to avoid caking from dampness that affects its effectiveness.