What is ammonium nitrate and how to use it?
Ammonium nitrate is a drug that is widely used in agricultural activities. Nitrate is a mineral fertilizer that is indispensable for the so-called “building material” to be produced in plant cells in the required quantities. In addition to being used to fertilize the soil, ammonium nitrate is used as one of the components of an explosive.
Content:
Universal fertilizer
If you have a question about what ammonium nitrate is, then this is a substance that in 80% of cases is used as a mineral fertilizer, and therefore has earned great popularity in such an industry as agriculture.
More than a third of the fertilizer is nitrogen, which is a necessary element for any plant to develop normally. Ammonium nitrate can be used both on farms and on individual summer cottages. Often, in order for a fertilizer to have a good effect, substances such as chalk or limestone can be added to it.
In this case, saltpeter is stored much better and longer, and the level of moisture absorption also increases. Ammonium nitrate has the appearance of white small granules, which, when used in large quantities, resemble white powder.
Nitrate is a universal fertilizer with the following parameters:
- The substance can be used as a top dressing in the spring for almost any type of plant, from vegetables to garden plantings
- Used as mineral fertilizer for flowers
- A substance that is used to feed and fertilize plants during their active period of growth and development
- Can be used in any soil type
Ammonium nitrate, after entering the soil, begins to decompose, releasing nitrogen in large quantities. The result is a slight acidification effect, and the plants will only say “thank you” for fertilizing the soil with nitrogen.
Packaging, transportation and storage
Nitrate is packaged in polyethylene bags that have welded seams; the maximum volume of one bag is 50 liters. Special containers are also used in which saltpeter is stored weighing 500-800 kg.
After the plastic bag is filled with the substance, its neck must be carefully sealed. If saltpeter is stored in paper bags, then the necks are sewn up using special equipment.
Saltpeter is transported in a special container or by bulk method. Fertilizer that is carefully packed in bags can be transported by any transport method. However, due to the high level of fire hazard, this substance cannot be transported by aircraft. Saltpeter, which is intended for agricultural purposes, is transported by rail in open wagons, in bulk; you can also use road transport, which has a shelter.
Since ammonium nitrate is included in the category of especially dangerous explosives, it must be transported under special conditions so as not to violate safety measures.
Nitrate can be stored in warehouses that are reliably protected from precipitation that can get on the substance. During storage, saltpeter should not be mixed with other fertilizers, especially with a substance such as urea.
From the date of manufacture, ammonium nitrate can be stored for no more than 6 months. After opening the bag, the saltpeter must be additionally packaged in a special box. In this form, the substance can be stored for no more than one month.
Features of soil fertilization
The application rate of mineral fertilizer is no more than 30 grams per square meter of soil. If you use water-based fertilizer, you need to dilute 15 grams in 10 liters of water - this dosage is used per square meter of soil. If this is a fertilizer for vegetable crops, then the maximum dosage is 12 grams per square meter, for fruit-bearing plants - a maximum of 35 grams per square meter.
Ammonium nitrate is applied as a mineral fertilizer before sowing - if the soil is light.
On heavy and clayey soils, it is necessary to apply saltpeter in the autumn or spring. Saltpeter is also widely used on individual dacha farms, as it is the cheapest way to fertilize the soil and gives good results.
Such fertilizers for the garden can replenish the nitrogen deficiency in the soil, which is a favorable factor for the life and development of plants.This fertilizer can also be used to feed house plants during the process of growing garden seedlings; all this will have a positive effect on the development of vegetables and fruits in the garden in the future.
Ammonium nitrate is a mineral fertilizer containing 16% nitrogen. For regions that have high levels of humidity, it is best to fertilize the soil with saltpeter in the fall. In other regions, they usually fertilize during spring plowing. And also in small portions throughout the growing season.
This mineral fertilizer is highly soluble in water and also has the ability to absorb moisture well. Sprays well over the entire soil surface.
Fertilizing fruit trees with ammonium nitrate on video:
Interesting information about the vegetable garden
Comments
Good fertilizer, we bought it very often at one time. Fertilized the lawn and flower beds. We were satisfied, easy to use, no need to bother, sprinkled it on and that’s it. And the grass after it, artificial, bright and juicy.