Ammonium Sulfate
Ammonium sulfate | (Ammonium sulfate) with the chemical formula is an inorganic mineral salt with extensive applications in agriculture and various industrial sectors. Its most important use is as a nitrogen fertilizer for crops. Sulfamon ammonium sulfate fertilizer contains 21% nitrogen in the form of ammonium ions and 24% water-soluble sulfur in the form of sulfate. Among the agricultural applications of this fertilizer, it is used to adjust and reduce the pH of alkaline soils and to supply the nitrogen and sulfur required for plant growth and development.
Ammonium sulfate is one of the most widely used and high-yield nitrogen fertilizers for various agricultural and horticultural crops. It is especially suitable in cases where both nitrogen and sulfur are required.
Role of Ammonium Sulfate in Agriculture
Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important factors for achieving optimal crop performance and increasing plant yield.
Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the atmosphere and the most consumed by plants. It is absorbed through roots in the forms of nitrate, ammonium, and urea ions, then transported to the leaves, where it participates in amino acid synthesis and ultimately forms proteins.
Nitrogen is a key component of plant organic compounds, such as chlorophyll pigments and coenzymes. It stimulates vegetative growth; however, excessive use can lead to soft tissues, increased suckers and shoots, and negatively affect crop production. Therefore, an optimal amount of nitrogen fertilizer should always be applied for the best effect on plant performance.
Plants obtain nitrogen from both chemical and organic fertilizers.
Ammonium sulfate is primarily used in situations where nitrogen and sulfur are needed as soil supplements to meet the requirements of growing plants. Although ammonium sulfate contains 21% nitrogen, while other fertilizers such as urea contain higher nitrogen content (e.g., urea contains 46% nitrogen), the nitrogen in ammonium sulfate is less prone to leaching and loss compared to other nitrogen fertilizers. Additionally, ammonium sulfate is an excellent source of sulfur, which plays multiple essential roles in plants, particularly in protein synthesis.
