Starting in spring, gardeners have a lot of work to do, which ensures a good start for a new crop. In order for the fruits to correspond to the quality and varietal yield, various baits are used to saturate the soil with trace elements necessary for vegetation. One of the beneficial agents is ammonium sulfate. This article reveals all the secrets of using this unique fertilizer.
What is Ammonium Sulfate
The peculiarity of mineral bait is the content of substances important for the growing season of any culture: sulfur and nitrogen. Due to its properties and safety, ammonium salt has been used since Soviet times in the food and textile industries in addition to gardening. The popularity, which has not been lost until now, is due to the wide range of action of the product and the affordable price. The fertilizer has no contraindications regarding the choice of plants, therefore it can rightfully be called universal. And climatic conditions do not affect the action of the mineral additive.
In fact, ammonium sulfate is a chemical (ammonium salt of sulfuric acid) produced by the domestic industry in large quantities due to its application in various areas of the national economy. It is a powder without a characteristic odor with crystallized granules of white, less often gray. In the agricultural sector, this substance is classified as a nitrogenous fertilizer. The microelements included in the composition contribute to the intensive growth of plants and the formation of high-quality fruits.
To feed the plants with nitrogen, it is recommended to apply the fertilizer in a dissolved form. In this form, the substance does not react with the soil environment, giving the maximum dose of trace elements to the root system. The dry method of soil enrichment has a longer decay process, therefore it is used more often when preparing beds during digging up the earth.
Are ammonium sulfate and urea the same
Ammonium sulfate (NH4) 2SO4 (N21 S24) and urea (NH2) 2CO, (N46) are different products, but belong to the same group of nitrogen fertilizers. Ammonium salt is not inferior in its properties to many nitrogen-containing complexes, for example, unlike carbamide, it has sulfur. Another distinctive feature is the more affordable price.
Both nutrients are water soluble and well absorbed by plants. However, urea acidifies the soil worse than the sulfur-containing composition. And besides, it is ineffective on waterlogged and cold soils. Ammonium salt works equally well in different environments.
Properties and benefits from application
Often on the beds, a picture is observed when the greenery of the plants begins to fade, the color of the leaves changes. These symptoms indicate a deficiency of sulfur and nitrogen in the soil. In ammonium sulfate, nutrients are contained in sufficient quantities (24%, 21%), therefore, the first aid is to enrich the soil with mineral fertilizers in dry or dissolved form.
Ammonium sulphate does not replace complex nutrition of agricultural crops. In addition to important components: nitrogen and sulfur, plants also need other trace elements (potassium, magnesium, iron, etc.).
Ammonium salt properties:
- increases soil fertility when digging;
- saturates the soil with nutrients, which promotes the growth of young shoots;
- has a beneficial effect on the formation of fruits, their quality;
- use in combination with other substances for complex fertilization is allowed.
The main characteristics of the fertilizer:
- the saturation of the composition with sulfur, which has a positive effect on the quality and quantity of the crop;
- fast solubility in water, which makes it possible to recharge the soil in combination with irrigation;
- convenient and simple application (it can be dry or dissolved in water);
- affordable price (cost competes with most nutritional mixtures);
- efficiency is noted a few days after the introduction of ammonium salt into the soil;
- microelements valuable for plants remain in the soil for a long time, maintaining its fertility;
- make-up is absolutely safe for the health of people and animals; when using, you can do without protective equipment.
The only drawback of using the product is the low nitrogen content in comparison with ammonium nitrate. The chemical has no other significant disadvantages.
Despite the compelling advantages, ammonium sulfate still has some features. Among the main ones: strict adherence to storage conditions and consumption rates. When adding funds to the soil, it should be borne in mind that an excess of nutrients inhibits the development of young shoots.
Application for different crops
On average, ammonium salt is applied to the beds in an amount of 40 grams. per 1 m2, but the indicators may vary depending on what culture the mineral dressing is used for.
Potatoes
The rate of application of the product when digging up the beds varies in the range of 25-40 grams. per 1 m2. Even with a slight violation of the dose, nitrates do not accumulate in root crops. Enriching the garden with fertilizer promotes the growth of vegetable crops, improves not only the volume of the crop, but also the quality of tubers (the level of starch is increased). Strengthening of immunity is also noted, after processing the plant is less exposed to scab and rot.
Cucumbers
Early ripening crops, which include cucumbers, require regular feeding for the development of the lash and the formation of fruits. Ammonium sulphate contains essential substances that stimulate growth and prolong the period of fruiting. It is brought in liquid form 2-3 times per season.
This should be done 20 days after germination, then every 2 weeks. The best treatment time is after watering or precipitation. 14 days before harvesting, the use of any dressings is stopped.
Strawberry
Ammonium salt is introduced into the soil during the digging of the earth when preparing the beds for planting. After the seedlings take root, fertilizing in liquid form is applied under each bush in an amount of 1 liter for each plant. The working solution (st. L. Fertilizer per bucket of water) will become even more nutritious if you add a glass of mullein to it.
Cabbage
When enriching the soil with fertilizer, it is necessary to observe the processing time. Otherwise, recharge will provoke rapid growth of greenery or prevent the growth of cabbage leaves. The consumption rate of the product is 30 g. It is necessary to apply the powder during the digging of the earth or a week after planting the seedlings, using a liquid form of feeding.
Greens
For all types of greens, ammonium sulfate is considered an excellent nutritional supplement. In addition, the fertilizer can be used in all phases of the growing season. The agent can quickly compensate for the lack of trace elements after the first harvest, so that the repeated seeding develops with the same intensity.
Powder consumption during digging - 20 gr. It is not recommended to use a growth stimulant a couple of weeks before harvest.
Harmful effects on vegetable crops
There is no negative effect of ammonium sulfate on vegetable plants. Even if the consumption rate is exceeded, the fruits do not accumulate toxins and other harmful substances. On the contrary, vegetables fed with such a top dressing retain their presentation, juiciness, taste and vitamins for a long time. During storage, the processed crop is much less likely to rot.
Ammonium sulfate is a mild chemical, so it cannot harm humans or plants. Thanks to this, the product is used for root and foliar dressing.
In horticulture, ammonium sulfate is a very popular product, the composition is suitable for almost all crops grown on the site. It can be used throughout the season, but in acceptable quantities so as not to provoke the opposite effect.