Ammonium sulfate: description of the fertilizer, instructions for use

Fertilizers and preparations

Ammonium sulfate is a fairly popular mineral fertilizer today. It's best applied in spring because the nitrogen it contains promotes vigorous growth of all crops, and the sulfur-containing components ensure high-quality fruits. When late-ripening fruits and vegetables ripen, sulfur helps them preserve well over the winter. Therefore, ammonium sulfate fertilizer is essential for both large farms and private gardens.

Ammonium sulfate is a crystalline powder, typically white, but can also have pink or yellow hues. It can be used in conjunction with mineral fertilizers, but with different main components. It's easy to use because it dissolves in water or can be used dry. This variety of uses makes ammonium sulfate a very common fertilizer.

Gardeners are always looking for non-aggressive chemicals to help them during the summer season, and like true agronomists, they choose the harmless fertilizer ammonium sulfate to help their plants. It's a smart choice, as this chemical, the only one in the fertilizer, is harmless to both humans and plants. It's simply sprinkled under the bushes with bare hands.

Of course, you should wash your hands afterward, as you would after any gardening work, but handling this fertilizer is also harmless to your skin and breath. Therefore, it is used dry for various types of feeding—root, subroot, and foliar. The chemical's aqueous solution easily penetrates the roots and stems of plants.

When growing two crops of greens, ammonium sulfate is applied in stages, the first time in early spring to accelerate the emergence of the first shoots and the rapid growth of the main crop. Using ammonium sulfate fertilizer in the garden allows for a second harvest. To achieve this, the fertilizer should be applied when digging the soil for the second sowing. This enriches the soil with nutrients, and the seeds fall into fertile soil, quickly sprout, and form a mass of greens. Fertilizing should be stopped two weeks before harvesting the greens.

Ammonium sulfate: description of the fertilizer, characteristics, and instructions for use

After the first application of liquid fertilizer to the soil, along with the sowing of seeds, ammonium sulfate remains in the fertile soil layer for a long time. This fertilizer is not very mobile in the soil; it is unaffected by water flow, does not migrate to other soil layers, is not washed away by rain onto adjacent beds, and is not lost to air currents. This ensures the necessary nutrition of the root system for a long time.

Ammonium sulfate can be used regardless of region, soil, or climate. A single application of the fertilizer will not affect the fertile soil layer, but regular use will "acidify" the soil. This is indicated in the instructions for use of ammonium sulfate fertilizer, so consumers should avoid overuse, especially if they are unfamiliar with the chemical and geological composition of their own soil.

Attention! Ammonium salt is an essential fertilizer, especially needed by alkaline soils.

Description and characteristics of ammonium sulfate fertilizer

On large farms, soil samples are regularly tested in a laboratory, its condition is analyzed, and the need for specific fertilizers is determined. Alkaline and neutral soils tolerate repeated applications of ammonium sulfate, while acidic soils, or neutral soils with frequent application of this fertilizer, require the simultaneous application of substances to prevent acidification of the fertile soil layer. Ammonium is particularly unstable in the soil layers. To prevent acidification, crushed limestone or chalk are added.

For black soil, ammonium sulfate is the most effective nitrogen-containing fertilizer. Agrochemists note that it is environmentally friendly compared to other fertilizers.

Ammonium salt, a mineral fertilizer, is a chemical substance. Chemists claim it is completely harmless to plants, insects, animals, and humans.

Beyond agriculture, ammonium salts are used in textile manufacturing, as a component for strengthening thread strength and as a dyeing agent. As a fertilizer, it is ideal for a wide range of crops grown in any soil.

Before using ammonium sulfate in your garden, you should familiarize yourself with its chemical properties. When used carefully and correctly, this fertilizer promotes rapid growth and the active formation of high-quality fruits. Furthermore, using it results in larger, juicier fruits for all crops.

You need to know! Dissolving in water does not convert nitrogen fertilizer into nitrates, which means that nitrates do not get into fruits and greens when fertilizing.

Ammonium sulfate: chemical and physical properties, composition, efficiency

Ammonium sulfate appears as a crystalline powder, usually white, occasionally with a gray tint. The crystals are readily soluble and odorless. Since ammonium is a single substance rather than a complex, it can be combined with mineral and organic fertilizers.

The composition of ammonium sulfate fertilizer is evident from its chemical formula: (NH4)2 SO4. Ammonium sulfate contains sulfur (S), oxygen (O2), and nitrogen (N); remarkably, all substances are present in a form readily available to plants.

Proportion of fertilizer components:

nitrogenous molecules – more than 20%;
sulfur components – up to 24%.

Agronomists recommend applying this fertilizer in the spring, when the components are most active. Thanks to its special structure, this synthetic mineral is easily accessible to the soil and root system of seedlings.

The effectiveness of ammonium sulfate is noticeable where the soil lacks nitrogen and sulfur components for seedlings. This causes the plants to change appearance—the greenery becomes pale and yellowish; the foliage withers, dries out, and falls off. Nitrogen metabolism is directly disrupted by a lack of sulfur. Without it, protein compounds, vegetable oils, and vitamins cannot be fully formed. A sulfur deficiency disrupts oxidation and reduction, which are the foundation of plant growth and proper development.

The lack of S immediately shows:

plants develop slowly and do not grow;
the stems are thin and weak;
the leaves lose their natural color, deteriorate, and wither;
the fruits are small, with loss of natural taste and aroma.

A deficiency of S in the topsoil leads to the accumulation of N in the form of nitrates. This is where the effectiveness of ammonium salts in improving the quality of the topsoil is most noticeable.

Important! To maintain the activity of the N element in the soil for a long time and to prevent the conversion of N into nitrates, it is recommended to use the chemical in the form of an aqueous solution.

The reason is that nitrogen dissolved in water does not react with the components of the soil, but goes directly to the roots of plants.

Benefits of using ammonium sulfate

Agronomists have calculated that during the course of a plant's life cycle, it consumes 30-60 kg of sulfur compounds per hectare. This makes it crucial to constantly "feed" fields and gardens with sulfate salts, as they provide the soil with two essential chemical elements. Rain and wind wash away uncultivated soils, depleting them, and the old notion of "keeping a field fallow" is now meaningless. After the fields have "rested," especially in large agricultural companies, applying this fertilizer is essential for producing a new, excellent harvest.

A deficiency of these elements significantly reduces the vitamin content of fruits and shortens their shelf life. Furthermore, sulfur "maintains" the chemical structure of nitrogen and prevents it from converting into nitrates. To avoid nitrate formation, gardeners prefer to use an aqueous solution, which prevents the accumulation of excess chemicals, and apply only liquid root and foliar feeding.

For the soil

What humans take from the Earth must be given back to it; natural resources should not be depleted, but rather, using these gifts to replenish what was lost. Moreover, to ensure a good harvest, especially with crop rotation, agronomists immediately calculate the necessary fertilizers to avoid depleting the soil and ensure a good harvest.

Ammonium sulfate is the primary fertilizer used in spring fertilization before planting seedlings or seeds. An even earlier application is before spring plowing, when applying dry powder. This ensures the fertilizer is evenly distributed throughout the garden. The amount of powder is calculated using the following formula: 25–30 g per m². However, it's important to consider the layout of the garden beds; it may be more practical to apply the fertilizer to each bed, for each plant, since the amount of fertilizer varies according to the needs of each plant.

Considering that ammonium sulfate makes the soil very acidic, when applying it, limestone or crushed chalk should be added, especially in beds with plants that do not grow well in acidic soils.

Sulfate salts are essential for agricultural soil, even if it is sown with grasses for grazing. Soil also requires other elements to comprehensively influence plant growth and development. Ammonium sulfate combines well with fertilizers containing K, P, Ca, and Mg.

Please note: Ammonium sulfate is incompatible with wood ash and Thomas slag.

For agricultural crops

Ammonium sulfate is applied to the soil during fall plowing. It "nourishes" the topsoil. Spring fertilization with nitrogen fertilizers promotes the active growth and proper development of agricultural crops. This enriched soil ensures that the fertilizer is easily absorbed by plants, allowing them to grow quickly and thrive. Both large fields and gardens benefit from both fall and spring fertilization with nitrogen fertilizers. The importance of spring fertilization is that nitrogen promotes proper development, while sulfur promotes high-quality harvests.

At the same time, it's important to remember that ammonium sulfate isn't suitable for all plants. There are exceptions, which agronomists are well aware of, and gardeners should be aware of. Wheat, buckwheat, oats, and soybeans don't need this fertilizer. However, cabbage, radishes, turnips, and beets thrive with ammonium sulfate.

Potato fertilizers are applied according to a special schedule. Stage 1 is before planting, Stage 2 is watering young shoots with an aqueous solution, and Stage 3 is feeding the maturing root crops. This feeding schedule prevents nitrates from accumulating in the tubers, resulting in large potatoes with a high starch content. These potatoes are resistant to scab and core rot.

Ammonium sulfate fertilizer: application, timing and dosage

Sulfate salts are widely used in crop production today. Their simple chemical composition allows them to be used on a wide range of crops. Applying this fertilizer at the correct timing and dosage always produces excellent results. It kills overwintering pests and diseases that persist in the soil over the winter. This significantly improves the health of cultivated plants. The fertilizer's manufacturers recommend one specific method of using the fertilizer: monitoring the weather forecast. During heavy rainfall, it is recommended to evenly sprinkle the dry powder while loosening the soil.

Fertilizing with ammonium salts is recommended when:

fruits and berries develop slowly;
branches are thinned and brittle;
the color of the leaves is pale.

When plants lack nitrogen, they look poorly, the foliage discolors and falls off, and the fruit is few, small, or absent. Buds on the branches are small, sparse, or completely absent. These are signs that the soil is depleted and the plants require ammonium sulfate.

Watering times and dosage are calculated for each cultivated plant separately, depending on the sowing area.

Gardeners need to know the dosage of fertilizer when growing different crops:

For greens, 20 g of ammonium sulfate is required per 1 m²; if greens are grown on a large plantation, an effective method is to apply at least 70 g of dry powder in strips between rows. With regular watering, the fertilizer will gradually dissolve and provide almost constant nutrition to the roots;
carrots require up to 25–35 g per 1 m2;
beets – up to 35–40 g per 1 m2;
cruciferous vegetables – up to 35 g;
potatoes – 20-35 g per m2.

Housewives who enjoy indoor gardening and growing seedlings on a windowsill should apply fertilizer at a rate of 15–20 g per m2, while gardeners should apply dry powder every spring when loosening the soil under fruit trees or shrubs at a rate of up to 30 g per root.

Storage rules

To ensure the fertilizer retains its properties and chemical characteristics for a long time, it must be stored in special dry, well-ventilated areas. Manufacturers sell the fertilizer in polyethylene bags of varying capacities. Unopened bags have an unlimited shelf life.

Opening the packaging significantly reduces the shelf life; the powder can be stored for no more than six months, as the active ingredient loses its concentration when exposed to air. It does not cake during storage, even in an open package. Opened packages should be carefully sealed, avoiding exposure to moisture.

Mixing with other components and preparing mineral solution complexes must be done strictly before using chemical mixtures. Even dry mixed substances must not be stored. Any unused solution must be disposed of according to all safety regulations. The manufacturer's packaging must indicate the hazard class of the chemical.

Reviews

Ammonium sulfate salts have earned the favor of consumers for their positive effects, ease of use, and safety. Reviews of ammonium sulfate are overwhelmingly positive.

Olga:

"I consider ammonium sulfate to be the best fertilizer for cucumbers. My husband and I always grow early cucumber varieties. They're naturally a fast-growing crop, but with ammonium sulfate, we achieve incredible results: the cucumbers grow like crazy, with strong, sturdy tops and abundant color. All the flowers have ovaries, and there are virtually no barren flowers."

Maria:

"We fertilize our strawberries with ammonium sulfate and aren't afraid of using chemicals. Even the kids eat the berries straight from the bushes. We fertilize with nitrogen fertilizer in the spring to stimulate the growth and development of the bushes, foliage, and stems. We make a working mixture of 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per 10 liters of water."

There's always plenty of ovary, and the berries grow surprisingly large, juicy, and flavorful. We fertilize the strawberries a second time with ammonium salt during transplanting, planting, and runner formation, and add dry fertilizer during tillering.