Comparison of Ammonium Sulfate and Ammonium Nitrate in Terms of Application and Time of Use

Ammonium nitrate and Ammonium sulfate are two types of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. They are applied to fields and gardens in different seasons to provide part of the nitrogen needed by the plant. These two chemical fertilizers are different from each other in terms of composition and effectiveness. In this article, we will compare ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate and examine the important points about these two nitrogenous fertilizers.

What is ammonium nitrate?

Ammonium nitrate is a chemical substance with the formula NH4NO3. This substance contains ammonium and nitrate ions. Ammonium nitrate is placed in the nitrogen fertilizer category, which supplies the nitrogen needed by plants. Ammonium nitrate can be dissolved in water, which allows the fertilizer to absorb faster. The early absorption of ammonium nitrate makes the nitrogen needed by the plants supplied, and the plant’s growth occurs better.
Ammonium nitrate is a heat-absorbing element that reduces the surrounding environment’s temperature. This material is suitable for plants that grow in alkaline soil. Although ammonium nitrate is widely used in agriculture, it must be applied to agricultural fields in necessary conditions.

This means that the unnecessary use of this fertilizer is not only not useful for plants but also causes soil and natural pollution. Excessive use of ammonium nitrate makes the soil acidic and reduces soil fertility. Over time, this will cause the plant to weaken and die.

Ammonium nitrate is not only used as an agricultural fertilizer but also in other industries. The most important uses of ammonium nitrate are:

• Agricultural fertilizer: Ammonium nitrate is a widely used nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture, which increases agricultural yield.
• Inflammable and explosive materials: Ammonium nitrate is the main ingredient in the production of many explosive materials, such as ammonium dinitrate, which is used in mining and construction industries and fireworks products.
• Animal husbandry: Ammonium nitrate is sometimes used as a source of protein in livestock diets.
• Chemical industry: Ammonium nitrate produces some chemicals, such as nitric acid and ammonia.
• Plastic and paint industry: Ammonium nitrate is a raw material used to produce paints and plastic materials.
• Food industry: Ammonium nitrate is used in the food industry as a food preservative and quality improver.

What is ammonium sulfate?

Sulphate is a chemical substance with the formula (NH4)2SO4. This substance is used to provide the nitrogen needed by plants. Ammonium sulfate has 21% nitrogen and 24% sulfur. The presence of sulfur in ammonium sulfate corrects and reduces soil pH and balances the soil. Ammonium sulfate nitrogen form has a positive charge. For this reason, it establishes a good connection with soil particles and is not easily washed away or evaporated.

Ammonium sulfate has many advantages for plants and trees. This substance primarily helps their health and growth. Ammonium sulfate also improves the quality of products and can increase plants’ resistance to diseases.
Ammonium sulfate can be used as a solid or solution.

To use solid ammonium sulfate, add it to the soil and then water. Ammonium sulfate is used as a solution, mixed with water, and then added to the soil.
Ammonium sulfate has various applications in different fields:

• Agricultural fertilizer: Ammonium sulfate is a nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer widely used in agriculture to increase yield and soil fertility.
• Chemical industry: Ammonium sulphate is the primary ingredient in producing some chemical products such as sulfuric acid, ammonia and nitric acid. This substance is also used in the production of detergents and cleaners.
• Food and pharmaceutical industries: This substance is used in the food industry to adjust the acidity of food and also in some medicines as a moisture absorber.
• Textile industry: Ammonium sulfate is used in dyeing and color stabilization processes in the textile industry.
• Animal husbandry: It is used as a source of protein in animals’ diets.

Comparison of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate

Ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate are both ammonium compounds, but they differ in some features and applications. In the following section, we will compare different aspects of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate.

• Ammonium nitrate is a combination of nitrate nitrogen and ammonium. While ammonium sulfate is a source of ammonium nitrogen and sulfur.
• Ammonium nitrate contains 34% nitrogen, while ammonium sulfate contains 21% nitrogen. Thus, we will need more ammonium sulfate to supply the plant with the nitrogen needed.
• Ammonium Nitrate Ammonium nitrate has a neutral pH. This fertilizer is suitable for plants that grow in alkaline soils. However, ammonium sulfate has an acidic pH and is more suitable for plants that grow in acidic soil.
• Ammonium nitrate easily dissolves in water, but ammonium sulfate is less soluble in water than ammonium nitrate.
• Ammonium sulfate absorption is slower than ammonium nitrate. This is due to the property of ammonium nitrate as a solvent.
• Ammonium nitrate is oxidizing and may be harmful to the environment. This element can cause nitrate contamination of underground water, But ammonium sulfate does not have oxidizing properties and is safer for the environment.
• Ammonium nitrate has a high solvent property, so it is more likely to wash off than other nitrogen fertilizers. On the other hand, ammonium sulfate is less likely to be washed away because it is less solvent and causes less damage to the soil.
• Ammonium sulfate is more expensive than ammonium nitrate.

In this section, we compared ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate. In general, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate are among the most widely used nitrogen fertilizers to supply the nitrogen plants’ needs. Which of these two fertilizers is suitable for your land depends on the type of plant, soil conditions, and weather conditions.

These two substances differ in chemical formula, nutritional composition, chemical properties, application, and several other aspects. Depending on the plant’s needs, you can use one of these fertilizers.

However, using a combination of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate is also a good idea. This will provide multiple herbal ingredients simultaneously. By combining two fertilizers and complementing their positive effects, agricultural productivity will improve, and the impact of soil structure destruction will be reduced.

Of course, the proportion and amount of each fertilizer should be adjusted according to the needs of the plant and the soil.

How to use ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate

The best time to fertilize ammonium nitrate is in the early stages of plant growth. In these stages, the plant needs more nitrogen, which increases its growth rate. In some agricultural products, consumption of ammonium nitrate is also necessary in the later stages of growth.

Using ammonium nitrate fertilizer during flowering and fruit formation stages can help increase crop yield for trees that bear fruit. The product type, weather conditions, and soil conditions affect the time required to apply ammonium nitrate fertilizer. In products with a short growth period, the consumption of ammonium nitrate fertilizer occurs in the early stages of growth.

Also, in hot and dry weather, using ammonium nitrate fertilizer in the early stages of growth is better for preventing nitrogen evaporation. Also, the consumption of ammonium nitrate depends on the product type, weather conditions, and soil conditions.

Ammonium sulfate fertilizer can be used depending on the plant’s needs and the soil. However, there is generally a universal standard for how to use it. It is used in three periods: April, June, and September.

As a final point, we emphasize that identifying the needs of the plant and the amount and time of fertilization is a completely specialized matter. For fertilizing agricultural land or gardens, it is better to seek the expert opinion of an agricultural expert.