Synthetic ammonium sulfate is a
nitrogen-sulfur fertilizer that contains 24% sulfur and 21% nitrogen. Outwardly, it resembles a white crystalline salt, which dissolves well in water and is chemically neutral. Ammonium sulfate has weak hygroscopicity and does not cake during long-term storage, while maintaining flowability. And the value of the substances contained in it is difficult to overestimate. The same nitrogen has a significant effect on the vital activity of plants. He is rightfully considered the leader among
mineral fertilizers. And sulfur in terms of importance in plant nutrition can be given third place, since the second is phosphorus.
Ammonium sulfate is a fertilizer whose use is useful for all types of crops. When applied, it dissolves without problems in water, and then is well absorbed by plants. In addition, it is inactive and even with great moisture is not washed out of the ground. And the effectiveness of this fertilizer is not lower than that of urea and ammonium nitrate. But if we consider some of its physicochemical properties (incombustibility, explosion safety, non-creep) and cost, then ammonium sulfate will be much more profitable than its "rivals". An important component of this fertilizer is sulfur, which plays an important role in the life of plants. It is part of proteins and such essential amino acids as methionine and cystine. It is also present in vitamins and oils.
In this regard, ammonium sulfate positively affects the redox processes occurring in plants, as well as the activation of enzymes and protein metabolism, the initial product for the synthesis of which is just the oxidized form of sulfur. And if it is not enough, then protein synthesis is delayed, and the so-called sulfur starvation begins in plants, which in its characteristics resembles nitrogen starvation. At the same time, crops are suspended in development, their stems are lengthened and leaves are reduced. True, the latter do not die off, but take a pale color. And studies have shown that it is sulfur deficiency that causes a violation of nitrogen metabolism. And you can avoid it if you add ammonium sulfate. This fertilizer will help restore the lack of sulfur.
Farmers also know that excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers can lead to environmental problems, especially if the nutrients are not balanced in them. This may be pollution of surface and groundwater, consumption of products. Urea and nitrate fertilizers also show significant nitrogen losses (up to 30%) that occur as a result of leaching and denitrification. And ammonium sulfate loses no more than 3% of this battery. It should be noted that in it nitrogen is in the form most accessible to plants, and it participates in the formation of the crop throughout the growing season.
Ammonium sulfate is also used for the disposal of straw. At the same time, it turns into fertilizer. That is, it is introduced into the soil along with crop residues at a dose of 10 kilograms per ton of straw. At the same time, it contributes to the accelerated decomposition of fiber. In this regard, several problems are simultaneously solved - soils receive additional fertilizer, straw is utilized and the environment is protected. And if the grain crop is 20-30 centners per hectare, then ammonium sulfate, together with the straw left after them, can return to the soil up to 40 kilograms of nitrogen, 18-24 kilograms of potassium, up to 80 kilos of phosphorus and 35-45 kg of sulfur, which significantly increases the percentage of protein in the product.