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

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

The fertilizer does not accumulate in the soil and does not contain nitrates

What is "ammonium sulfate"

Ammonium sulfate or ammonium sulfate is a crystalline, colorless substance or odorless powdery substance. Ammonium sulfate is produced by the action of sulfuric acid on ammonia; the chemical composition of the substance also includes decomposition products of the exchange reaction of the acid with aluminum or iron salts.

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

synthetic;
obtained after combustion of coke;
by exposing gypsum to ammonium carbonate;
process waste from caprolactam production.

After the process, the substance is purified from ferrous sulfate and the output is a reagent containing 0.2% calcium sulfate, which cannot be eliminated.

Formula and composition of ammonium sulfate

Ammonium sulfate is most 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 ammonium sulfate or sulfate is not limited to agricultural needs. The substance is used:

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

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

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

The fertilizer is produced in the form of colorless crystals or granules

Impact on soil and plants

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

Nitrogen in the fertilizer is in 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! Ammonium sulfate should not be combined 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 fruits;
accelerate protein synthesis;

Attention! Lack of sulfur affects the growth and development of crops, especially oilseeds.

Nitrogen is responsible for the following:

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

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

Pros and cons of use

Positive qualities of fertilizer:

increases productivity;
improves growth and flowering;
promotes the absorption of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers by the crop;
is highly 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 shelf life;
has a low cost.

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

Features of the use of ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer

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

Application of ammonium sulfate in agriculture

The 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;
soy;
buckwheat;
flax;
oats.

Nitrogen gives a starting impetus for growth and gain of green mass, sulfur increases productivity.

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

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

Application of ammonium sulfate as fertilizer for wheat

Lack of sulfur causes difficulty in the production of amino acids, hence unsatisfactory protein synthesis. Wheat growth slows down, the color of the above-ground parts turns pale, and the stems become elongated. A weakened plant will not produce a good harvest. The use of ammonium sulfate is advisable for winter wheat. Feeding is carried out according to the following scheme:

Optimal time	Norm for 1 ha
When cultivating	60 kg in the ground
In the spring at the stage of the first node	15 kg in the form of a root solution
At the beginning of heading	10 kg in solution together with copper, foliar application

The last treatment of crops improves photosynthesis and, accordingly, grain quality.

Using ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer in the garden

In a small plot of land, fertilizer is used to grow all vegetable crops. Application times vary, but the basic rules are the same:

do not allow an increase in 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 season;
For root crops, root fertilizing is used;
After budding, fertilizer is not used, because the crop will intensively increase its above-ground mass to the detriment of the fruits.

Important! Before applying ammonium sulfate at the root, water the plant abundantly; if treatment of the bush is necessary, it is better to do it in cloudy weather.

Application of ammonium sulfate in gardening

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

How to apply ammonium sulfate depending on the type of soil

Fertilizer increases the pH level of the soil only with long-term 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 nitrogen fertilization

Fertilizer does not affect the growth of crops; they have enough nutrition from fertile soil.

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

Instructions for use of ammonium sulfate fertilizer

The instructions for the fertilizer indicate the dosage when preparing the soil, planting, and if ammonium sulfate is used as a top dressing. The norm and time for garden and vegetable garden plants will be different.Use in the form of granules, crystals or powder with embedding in the ground or fertilizing with a solution.

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

For vegetable crops

The application of nitrogen fertilizer for root crops is especially important; ammonium sulfate for potatoes is a mandatory condition of agricultural technology. Fertilizing is carried out during planting. The tubers are laid out in holes, lightly sprinkled with soil, and fertilizer is applied on top at the rate of 25 g per 1 m², then planting material is filled in. During flowering, water at the root with a solution of 20 g/10 l per 1 m².

For carrots, beets, radishes, radishes fertilizer 30 g / 1 m² applied to the soil 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 of sulfur and nitrogen; these elements are vital for it. The plant is fed throughout the growing season at intervals of 14 days. Use a solution of 25 g/10 l to water the cabbage. The procedure begins from the first day of placing seedlings in the ground.

For tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and eggplants, the first planting is carried out during planting (40 g/1 sq. m). Feed with a solution during flowering - 20 g/10 l, the next application - during the period of fruit formation, stop feeding 21 days before harvest.

For greenery

The value of greens lies in the above-ground mass; the larger and denser it is, the better, so nitrogen is vital for dill, parsley, cilantro, and all types of salad. The growth stimulator is applied in the form of a solution throughout the entire growing season. During planting, granules (20 g/1 sq. m) are used.

For fruit and berry crops

Fertilizer is used for a number of garden crops: apple trees, quince, cherry, raspberries, gooseberries, currants, grapes.

In the spring, at the beginning of the growing season, they dig up the root circle, scatter the granules and dig them into the soil with a hoe, then water them abundantly. For berry crops, consumption is 40 g per bush, trees are fed at the rate of 60 g per hole. During flowering, you can treat with a solution of 25 g/10 l.

For flowers and ornamental shrubs

For annual flowers I use fertilizer at the time of planting 40 g/1 sq. m. If the green mass is weak, treat with a solution of 15 g/5 l at the time of budding; in the future, flowering plants do not need nitrogen, otherwise shoot formation will be intense and flowering will be rare.

Perennial herbaceous flowering crops are fertilized after the first shoots appear. They look at how intense the stem formation is and the richness of the color of the leaves; 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 autumn, the plant is fed a second time. Consumption – 40 g per 1 bush.

Combination with other fertilizers

Ammonium sulfate should not be used simultaneously with the following substances:

potassium chloride;
slaked lime;
wood ash;
superphosphate.

Effective interaction is observed when used together with the following 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

The fertilizer is non-toxic, but is of chemical origin, so the reaction of exposed skin and respiratory tract mucosa is difficult to predict. Rubber gloves are used when working with granules. If you treat a plant with a solution, protect your eyes with special glasses, wear a gauze bandage or a respirator.

Storage rules

No special conditions are required for storing the fertilizer. Crystals do not absorb moisture from the environment, are not compressed, and they lose their quality. The substances in the composition remain active for 5 years after the container is sealed. The fertilizer is stored in agricultural buildings, away from animals, in the manufacturer's packaging; temperature conditions do not play a role. The solution is suitable for one-time use only and should not be left on.

Conclusion

Ammonium sulfate is used as a fertilizer for growing vegetables and grain crops. Used in farm areas and personal plots. The active substances in the fertilizer are necessary for any seedlings: nitrogen improves growth and shoot formation, sulfur promotes crop formation. The product is used not only in the garden, but also for ornamental, flowering plants, berry bushes and fruit trees.