Details:

Ammonium sulphate contains ammoniacal nitrogen and water-soluble sulphur. The nitrogen is entirely in the form of ammonium, which reduces the risk of leaching during wet periods. This fertilizer is mainly used in arable farming and on grassland on crops that need a lot of sulphur (e.g. rapeseed and potatoes). In Southern Europe and outside Europe, ammonium sulphate is often used as a fertilizer for citrus fruits, coffee, rice, tea, bananas, pineapples, sugar beet and soya beans. It can be used as a single fertilizer or in blends.

Function

- Growers apply ammonium sulfate primarily where they need supplemental N and S to meet the nutritional requirement of growing plants. Since ammonium sulfate contains only 21percent N, other fertilizer sources more concentrated and economical to handle and transport often make a better choice for N-deficient fields. However, it provides an excellent source of S, which supports or drives numerous essential plant functions, including protein synthesis.

- Ammonium sulfate-chemical-properties.jpg v=1Because the N fraction is present in the ammonium form of ammonium sulfate, rice farmers frequently apply it to flooded soils, since nitrate-based fertilizers are a poor choice due to denitrification losses.

- A solution containing dissolved ammonium sulfate is often added to post-emergence herbicide sprays to improve their
effectiveness at weed control. This practice of increasing herbicide efficacy with ammonium sulfate works particularly well when the water supply contains significant concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) or sodium (Na). A high-purity grade of ammonium sulfate often works best for this purpose to avoid plugging spray nozzles.

Application

Food companies commonly add ammonium sulfate to bread products as a dough conditioner. It’s also a component in fire extinguisher powder and flame-proofing agents. And it serves many purposes in the chemical, wood pulp, textile and pharmaceutical industries.