Ammophos: instructions for use, composition

Ammophos is one of the best complex fertilizers, so instructions for its use, the ability to dilute it with water, and knowledge of the composition of this type of fertilizer will be useful to all gardeners.

Ammonium phosphate is considered the most active of all superphosphates. The instructions for using ammonium phosphate describe its composition and indicate how to dilute the fertilizer with water, which consists of:

• 52% phosphorus;
• 12% ammonia.

Such proportions are considered the most acceptable for providing plants with the necessary mineral composition, which has a beneficial effect on their growth.

Description of fertilizer and composition of Ammophos

The fertilizer granules resemble grains, up to 5 mm in size, and dissolve well in water. They retain their properties when dried and do not disintegrate into powder. If moisture from the air gets into the ammophos bag, the granules will not stick together, making the fertilizer virtually shelf-stable.

The fertilizer itself is produced through a chemical reaction between monoammonium phosphate and diammonium phosphate. The resulting neutralization produces a fertilizer that can serve as the basis for complex fertilizers, as it contains:

• boron;
• iron;
• manganese;
• zinc;
• silicon.

Moreover, the fertilizer contains virtually no ballast substances, which allows for savings on transportation costs and storage space.

Beneficial properties

The fertilizer is designed for specific purposes, the main ones being:

• strengthening the root system of plants;
• resistance of crops to diseases;
• increasing adaptation to weather conditions;
• increasing crop yields;
• increasing the shelf life of finished products.

Insufficient phosphorus in the soil can reduce crop productivity several times and impair the positive effects of other fertilizers aimed at increasing yields.

Application

Experts recommend using ammophos in combination with nitrogen fertilizers, as phosphorus remains the primary component of this type of fertilizer. Equal amounts of both micronutrients are necessary for the full development of garden and vegetable plants, both in home gardens and on large farms.

How to dilute ammophos in water

Liquid fertilizer remains the most effective way to fertilize crops. To prepare a nutrient solution from fertilizer, follow these steps:

1. Pour 0.5 kg of ammophoska with 5 liters of hot water.
2. Stir and wait until the residue falls out.
3. Drain the liquid portion and use for root or foliar feeding.
4. Add 2.5 liters of hot water to the sediment twice more and repeat the same operation again.

Since the components used as ballast in the production of such fertilizers include sulfur, the sediment after rinsing with water can be used as an additional element of compost or soil fertilizer.

Application of Ammophos in different types of soils

Experts recommend using fertilizer on all types of soil, regardless of the climatic characteristics of a particular agricultural region.

In this case, it is necessary to take into account not only the types of cultivated plants, but also the composition of the soil:

• for chernozem soils of the forest-steppe, meadow and sod-podzolic categories, ammophos is the main fertilizer when planting root crops, flax, grain crops and all chlorophobic plant species;
• Carbonate, simple, and southern chernozems require a tailored approach. Therefore, ammophos is the only acceptable fertilizer here due to the high temperatures during the growing and fruiting periods;
• On gray soils and chestnut soils, it is recommended to use this type of fertilizer in combination with irrigation - this is the only way to fully utilize its effectiveness;
• Using ammophos on saline soils will help grow a good, high-quality harvest;
• For greenhouses, the fertilizer is considered the most effective as a basis for complex use.

The amount of Ammophos depending on the application period

Due to differences in temperature and soil moisture, the fertilizer mass varies with different types of use:

• in autumn and spring, no more than 30 mg of ammophos should be added, combining fertilizing with digging the soil;
• As a summer fertilizer, make furrows up to 10 cm deep between rows, evenly scatter the granules, and cover with soil. The amount of ammophos used depends directly on the plant type, so it's important to know this in advance.
• When planting seedlings in a permanent location, the fertilizer application rate is calculated using the formula: 1 linear meter to 1 g of Ammophos. It is necessary to evenly mix dry soil with granules over the entire area of ​​the plot containing peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, or other crops;
• In greenhouse conditions, this type of fertilizer should be applied during soil preparation before planting. You will need at least 50 g of Ammophos per square meter. More precise instructions are on the packaging, indicating the amount of granules required depending on the type of vegetable.

Reviews of Ammophos

Ivan Fedorovich, Moscow region:

"For a long time, I only fed my vegetables in the garden with organic matter—diluted chicken manure and added it. Frankly, the results weren't great. An agronomist neighbor convinced me to try ammophos—he'd gotten such a harvest from a small piece of land that I was envious. I tried it two years ago and haven't regretted it—the cucumbers and tomatoes kept producing until the frost. Even the early varieties."

Natalia, Kemerovo region:

"I love flowers very much. Our soil is heavy, though, and we don't get much rainfall. I tried a new fertilizer—its main ingredient was ammonium phosphate. Now I'm thrilled with my phlox and dahlias—they bloom profusely and for a long time, a sight for all the neighbors to behold."

Stepan Kirillovich, Kherson:

"We don't get much rain in the summer, so we can't survive on sandy soils without ammonium phosphate fertilizer. I use drip irrigation, so I apply fertilizer in the fall and spring to keep the holes in the system from clogging. A harvest is guaranteed even in the driest summer."

Egor, Kursk region:

"I inherited a remote plot of land from my parents. The soil quality is terrible, a mixture of sand, clay, and gray soil. The first year I tried growing anything, nothing grew except weeds. On the advice of my mother-in-law—she's a gardener—I bought some ammophos and applied it while digging. Now we have a harvest—both potatoes and tomatoes are bearing well."