Ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer: what is it, the composition, how to use it on wheat, for plants

It is difficult to grow a good harvest of vegetable, berry or grain crops without adding additional nutrients to the soil. The chemical industry offers a wide range of products for this purpose. Ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer in the ranking in terms of effectiveness occupies a leading position, it is widely used in farm fields and household plots.

Fertilizer does not accumulate in the soil and does not contain nitrates

What is "ammonium sulfate"

Ammonium sulphate or ammonium sulphate is a crystalline colorless substance or odorless powdery substance. The production of ammonium sulfate occurs during the action of sulfuric acid on ammonia, and the chemical composition of the substance also includes the decay products of the exchange reaction of the acid with aluminum or iron salts.

The substance is obtained under laboratory conditions using special equipment, where a solid remains as a result of the interaction of concentrated solutions. In reaction with acid, ammonia acts as a neutralizer; it is produced in several ways:

synthetic;
obtained after combustion of coke;
by acting on gypsum with ammonium carbonate;
recycle waste after caprolactam production.

After the process, the substance is purified from ferrous sulfate and a reagent with 0.2% calcium sulfate content is obtained at the outlet, which cannot be excluded.

Formula and composition of ammonium sulfate

Ammonium sulfate is more often used as a nitrogen fertilizer, its composition is as follows:

sulfur - 24%;
nitrogen - 21%;
water - 0.2%;
calcium - 0.2%;
iron - 0.07%.

The rest is made up of impurities. The formula for ammonium sulfate is (NH4) 2SO4. The main active ingredients are nitrogen and sulfur.

What is ammonium sulfate used for?

The use of sulfate or ammonium sulfate is not limited to agricultural needs. The substance is used:

In the production of viscose at the stage of xanthogenation.
In the food industry, to improve the activity of yeast, the additive (E517) accelerates the rise of the dough, acts as a leavening agent.
For water purification. Ammonium sulfate is introduced before chlorine, it binds free radicals of the latter, makes it less dangerous for humans and communication structures, and reduces the risk of pipe corrosion.
In the manufacture of insulating building material.
In the filler of fire extinguishers.
When processing raw leather.
In the process of electrolysis when receiving potassium permanganate.

But the main application of the substance is as a fertilizer for vegetables, grain crops: corn, potatoes, tomatoes, beets, cabbage, wheat, carrots, pumpkin.

Ammonium sulfate (pictured) is widely used in horticulture for growing flowering, ornamental, berry and fruit plants.

Fertilizer is produced in the form of colorless crystals or granules

Impact on soil and plants

Ammonium sulfate increases the acidity of the soil, especially with repeated use. It is used only with a slightly alkaline or neutral composition, and for those plants that need a slightly acidic reaction for growth. The indicator increases sulfur, therefore, it is recommended to apply fertilizer together with lime substances (except for slaked lime). The need for joint use depends on the soil, if it is black earth, the indicator will change only after ten years of constant use of ammonium sulfate.

The nitrogen in the fertilizer is in the ammonia form, so it is absorbed by plants much more efficiently. Active substances are retained in the upper layers of the soil, are not washed out, and are completely absorbed by crops. Sulfur promotes better absorption of phosphorus and potassium from the soil, and also prevents the accumulation of nitrates.

Important! Do not combine ammonium sulfate with alkaline agents, such as ash, since nitrogen is lost during the reaction.

Ammonium sulfate is needed for various crops. The sulfur included in the composition allows:

strengthen the plant's resistance to infection;
improve drought resistance;
change for the better the taste and weight of the fruit;
accelerate protein synthesis;

Attention! The lack of sulfur affects the growth and development of crops, especially oil crops.

Nitrogen is responsible for the following:

growing green mass:
the intensity of shoot formation;
growth and color of leaves;
the formation of buds and flowers;
development of the root system.

Nitrogen is vital for root crops (potatoes, beets, carrots).

Pros and cons of using

The positive qualities of fertilizer:

increases productivity;
improves growth and flowering;
promotes the assimilation of phosphorus and potash fertilizers by the culture;
well soluble in water, at the same time characterized by low hygroscopicity, which simplifies storage conditions;
non-toxic, safe for humans and animals, does not contain nitrates;
is not washed out from the soil, therefore it is completely absorbed by plants;
improves the taste of fruits and increases the shelf life;
has a low cost.

The disadvantages are considered a low concentration of nitrogen, as well as the ability to increase the level of soil acidity.

Features of the use of ammonium sulfate as fertilizer

Use ammonium sulfate for plants, taking into account soil moisture, climatic conditions, aeration. Fertilizer is not applied to crops that grow only in an alkaline environment and are not used on soil with a high acidity. Before applying fertilizer, the reaction of the soil is adjusted to neutral.

The use of ammonium sulfate in agriculture

Fertilizer is cheaper than many nitrogen products, such as "Urea" or ammonium nitrate, and is not inferior to them in efficiency. Therefore, ammonium sulfate is widely used in agriculture for growing:

rice;
rapeseed;
sunflower;
potatoes;
melons and gourds;
soybeans;
buckwheat;
flax;
oats.

Nitrogen gives a starting impetus for growth and a set of green mass, sulfur increases yields.

The first feeding of winter crops is carried out in early May.

Fertilizer is applied in the spring according to the dosage indicated in the instructions, for each plant the concentration of the solution will be individual. Top dressing is carried out at the root or laid in the ground after plowing (before planting). Ammonium sulfate can be combined with any kind of fungicide, these substances do not react. The plant will simultaneously receive nutrition and protection from pests.

The use of ammonium sulfate as fertilizer for wheat

The lack of sulfur causes difficulties in the production of amino acids, hence the unsatisfactory synthesis of proteins. In wheat, growth slows down, the color of the aboveground part fades, the stems are extended. A weakened plant will not yield a good harvest. The use of ammonium sulfate is suitable for winter wheat. Top dressing is carried out according to the following scheme:

Optimal time	Rate per hectare
When cultivating	60 kg into the ground
In the spring at the stage of the first knot	15 kg as root solution
At the beginning of earing	10 kg in solution together with copper, foliar application

The last treatment of crops improves photosynthesis, respectively, the quality of the grain.

The use of ammonium sulfate as fertilizer in the garden

In a small household plot, fertilizer is used to grow all vegetable crops. Submission differs in time, but the basic rules are the same:

do not allow an increase in the rate and frequency;
the working solution is made immediately before use;
the procedure is carried out in the spring, when the plant enters the growing phase;
root dressing is used for root crops;
after budding, fertilizer is not used, since the culture will intensively increase the aboveground mass to the detriment of the fruits.

Important! Before applying ammonium sulfate under the root, the plant is watered abundantly, if treatment of the bush is necessary, it is better to carry it out in cloudy weather.

The use of ammonium sulfate in horticulture

Nitrogen-sulfur fertilizer for annual flowering plants is applied in the spring at the beginning of the formation of the aboveground part, if necessary, sprayed with a solution during budding. Perennial crops are re-fed with ammonium sulfate in the fall. In this case, the plant will more easily endure low temperatures and will lay the vegetative buds for the next season. Conifers, for example, junipers, which prefer acidic soils, respond well to feeding.

How to apply ammonium sulfate depending on the type of soil

Fertilizer increases soil PH level only with prolonged use. On acidic soils, ammonium sulfate is used together with lime. The proportion is 1 kg of fertilizer and 1.3 kg of additive.

Chernozems with good absorption capacity, enriched with organic matter, do not require additional fertilizing with nitrogen

Fertilization does not affect the growth of crops; nutrition from fertile soil is enough for them.

Important! Ammonium sulfate is recommended for light and chestnut soils.

Instructions for the use of ammonium sulfate fertilizer

The instructions for fertilization indicate the dosage for soil preparation, planting and if ammonium sulfate is used as a top dressing. The rate and time for garden and vegetable garden plants will differ. They are used in the form of granules, crystals or powder embedded in the soil, or they are fertilized with a solution.

As equipment, you can use a spray bottle or a simple watering can

For vegetable crops

The introduction of nitrogen fertilizer for root crops is especially important, ammonium sulfate for potatoes is a prerequisite for agricultural technology. Top dressing is carried out during planting. Tubers are laid out in holes, lightly sprinkled with soil, fertilizer is applied on top at the rate of 25 g per 1 m², then the planting material is poured. During flowering, watered under the root with a solution of 20 g / 10 l per 1 m².

For carrots, beets, radishes, radish fertilizer 30 g / 1 m² introduced into the ground before planting. If the ground part is weak, the stems are faded, the leaves turn yellow, repeat the watering procedure. The solution is used in the same concentration as for potatoes.

Cabbage is demanding on sulfur and nitrogen, these elements are vital for it. The plant is fed throughout the growing season with an interval of 14 days. Use a solution of 25 g / 10 L for watering the cabbage. The procedure begins from the first day of placing the seedlings in the ground.

For tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, the first bookmark is carried out during planting (40 g / 1 sq. M). They are fed with a solution during flowering - 20 g / 10 l, the next introduction - during the period of fruit formation, 21 days before harvesting, feeding is stopped.

For greenery

The value of greens lies in the above-ground mass, the larger and thicker it is, the better, therefore, nitrogen is vital for dill, parsley, cilantro, all types of salad. The introduction of a growth stimulator in the form of a solution is carried out throughout the entire growing season.During planting, use granules (20 g / 1 sq. M).

For fruit and berry crops

Fertilizer is used for a number of horticultural crops: apple, quince, cherry, raspberry, gooseberry, currant, grape.

In the spring, at the beginning of the growing season, they dig up the root circle, scatter the granules and use a hoe to deepen into the soil, then watered abundantly. For berry crops, consumption is 40 g per bush, trees are fed at the rate of 60 g per well. During flowering, treatment with a solution of 25 g / 10 l can be carried out.

For flowers and ornamental shrubs

For annual flowers, I use fertilizer during planting 40 g / 1 sq. m. If the green mass is weak, treatment is carried out with a solution of 15 g / 5 l at the time of budding, further nitrogen is not needed for flowering plants, otherwise shoot formation will be intense, and flowering is rare.

Perennial herbaceous flowering crops are fertilized after the first shoots appear. They look at how intensive the stem formation and the saturation of the color of the leaves are, if the plant is weak, it is watered at the root or sprayed before flowering.

Near ornamental and fruit bushes, the soil is dug up and granules are laid. In the fall, the plant is fed again. Consumption - 40 g per 1 bush.

Combination with other fertilizers

Ammonium sulfate cannot be used simultaneously with the following substances:

potassium chloride;
slaked lime;
wood ash;
superphosphate.

Effective interaction is observed when used together with such components:

ammonium salt;
nitrophoska;
phosphate rock;
potassium sulfate;
ammophos.

Ammonium sulfate can be mixed with potassium sulfate

Attention! Experts recommend mixing fertilizer with fungicides for prevention.

Security measures

Fertilizer is non-toxic, but it has a chemical origin, so it is difficult to predict the reaction of open areas of the skin, mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. When working with granules, rubber gloves are used. If the plant is treated with a solution, they protect the eyes with special glasses, put on a gauze bandage or respirator.

Storage rules

No special conditions for storing the fertilizer are required. Crystals do not absorb moisture from the environment, do not compress, and they lose their qualities. The substances in the composition retain their activity for 5 years after the container is sealed. The fertilizer is stored in agricultural buildings, away from animals, in the manufacturer's packaging, the temperature regime does not matter. The solution is suitable for single use only, it should not be left behind.

Conclusion

Ammonium sulfate is used as a fertilizer for growing vegetables and grain crops. They are used on farm territories and personal plots. The active substances in the fertilizer are necessary for any seedlings: nitrogen improves growth and shoots, sulfur contributes to the formation of the crop. The tool is used not only in the garden, but also for ornamental, flowering plants, berry bushes and fruit trees.

Ammonium sulfate: use in agriculture, in the garden, in horticulture