For plants to develop, they need nutrients found in the soil. Farmers often use nitrogen fertilizers without understanding the effect of active substances on crops. A microelement deficiency is just as dangerous as an excess. To avoid harm, you need to know the name and rules for using the additional product.

Soil is a natural primary source of nutrients for plants. Most of the nitrogen (more than 5%) is contained in the top layer of soil - humus. The thicker the fertile layer, the higher the concentration of the element. In such areas, the growth and development of crops is higher, diseases and pests do not appear.

The supply of nutritional components is not the same in different soil and climatic zones. The least nitrogen is found in loose sandy and sandy loam soils, and more in chernozems. Humus slowly decomposes under the influence of microorganisms, so it is not always available to plants. In order for a substance to transform into an assimilable form, complex processes are needed. Crops absorb organic matter after mineralization, the intensity of which depends on:

• temperature;
• humidity;
• soil characteristics;
• aeration.

Why do plants need nitrogen?

Nitrogen is the building material for all crops. The nutritional component is involved in biochemical processes and cell division, is contained in plant protein and carries the hereditary characteristics of organisms. The substance is responsible for photosynthesis, without which crops cannot absorb ultraviolet radiation, vitamins and minerals.

Young foliage and shoots contain the maximum concentration of the element. As they age, nitrogen gradually moves into the emerging greenery. After pollination and the appearance of ovaries, the component passes to the reproductive organs, accumulating in the form of proteins. If the plantings have enough nutrients, then the following is observed:

1. improved development;
2. rapid absorption of fertilizers;
3. normalization of microflora in the soil;
4. increasing green mass;
5. resistance to diseases and negative natural conditions;
6. increase in productivity.

A balanced nitrogen content in the soil ensures that plants get the best results. Crops that receive the element in abundance produce foliage of a standard color. When there is a deficiency, crops wither and the harvest takes a long time to ripen.

Forms of nitrogen in fertilizers

Plants use the nutrient component for different purposes, so the substance is divided into 6 types.

1. The ammonia species helps the development of roots and tops, and improves the absorption of microelements. The product is not afraid of low temperatures and binds well to the soil; it is often used as pre-sowing fertilizer.
2. Ammonium nitrate preparations include only 2 substances – ammonium nitrate and lime-ammonium nitrate. The first is considered the most effective and versatile nitrogen fertilizer.
3. The nitrogen group of fertilizers nourishes all crops, but for better digestibility such substances are used during the active growing season. Top dressing works only in warm weather and quickly leaves the soil during precipitation.
4. The ammonium-nitrogen type remains a universal fertilizer for all occasions, which can be used before and after agricultural work.
5. Ammonium forms of nitrogen in fertilizers strongly oxidize the soil, which leads to changes in the reactions of the soil environment.
6. Amide types reduce nitrate concentrations in tissues, but are poorly absorbed at low temperatures. The raw materials are used before planting in the ground.

Nitrogen fertilizers, their importance and application

The drugs are used in agriculture when growing plants. The rate of chemical application is not the same for all crops. There are species (legumes, poppy seeds, herbs) that do not need artificial additives. They are content with what they extract from the ground.

During the active growing season, frequent applications of nitrogen-containing fertilizers improve the condition of garden plants.

The concentration of the product depends on the needs of the species. For nightshade and fruit crops, use 200-300 g per 100 square meters, and for gardens and vegetable gardens - 600 g. To prepare an irrigation solution per 10 liters of water, take 30 g of the drug.

Ammonia and ammonium nitrate fertilizers

A group of solid preparations that contain nitrogen in the form of a particle with a positive charge. Fertilizers are used both as main fertilizers and in combination with other products. Obtained by chemical interaction with additional substances.

Ammonium nitrate

The product is the result of the reaction of ammonia with nitric acid. The powdery white drug is often available in granule form. It dissolves in water, is hygroscopic, and cakes into solid lumps. A flammable chemical, therefore safety precautions must be followed when handling.

Ammonium nitrate is a nitrogen fertilizer that contains a double concentration of the active component. The raw material can be used on all soils and for all plants. The chemical form is quickly absorbed without decomposing in the soil. Fertilizer is applied in autumn and spring to the dug up soil of the site, into the planting hole. Thanks to its use, the resistance of crops to unfavorable external conditions increases, the development of foliage and shoots improves. To reduce the acidity level, you need to use neutralizers.

Ammonium sulfate

Plant food resembles large crystals of table salt in appearance and is highly soluble in water. Low absorbent qualities protect fertilizer with nitrogen from caking and increase shelf life. The agricultural product is usually produced in white, but sometimes it is colored in shades of red, gray and blue.

The concentration of the active substance in ammonium sulfate is 21%. If you understand how to use this nitrogen fertilizer, then there will be no problems during use. Use in the form of granules makes it easier to apply to the soil after plowing. The active component is quickly fixed in the ground, after which it is absorbed by plants.

The liming procedure will help prevent soil acidification.

Ammonium sulfonitrate

If fertilizers containing nitrogen in a balanced ratio are needed, then ammonium sulfonitrate is used. The product is used as a main and pre-sowing preparation in the spring. It improves soil fertility in areas with low sulfur concentrations.

The chemical is produced in the form of white granules. Mass fraction of nitrogen – not less than 18%. Plant roots easily absorb the substance. Due to low biological decomposition, the product is washed out of the humus layer by wastewater. The drug increases the acidity of the soil, so on sod-podzolic soil the list of mandatory procedures includes simultaneous liming.

Ammonium chloride

The fertilizer contains nitrogen and chlorine. The fertilizer is produced in the form of small yellow crystals or white powder. The product dissolves in warm liquid. It absorbs moisture poorly, so it does not cake when stored in open packaging for a long time.

Many plants react poorly to chlorine, so the chemical is prohibited for tobacco, grapes and potatoes. The preparations are used for plowing in the winter. By spring, the concentration of the dangerous additive decreases. To prevent the accumulation of acid in the soil, it is necessary to mix the product with neutralizers (lime, dolomite flour).

Nitrate fertilizers

Sodium nitrate

Sodium nitrate, or sodium nitrate, has a concentration of the main substance of 16%. Outwardly it resembles crystallized pieces of salt and instantly dissolves in liquids. Fertilizer cakes during long-term storage, but does not absorb excess moisture from the air. Excellent application rates for:

• berry bushes;
• fruit trees;
• potatoes;
• beets.

Calcium nitrate

Available in the form of a white crystalline powder. The nitrogen content in calcium nitrate reaches 13%. The product strongly absorbs moisture from the environment, so it is stored in airtight packaging. During production, granules are coated with a special repellent layer, which reduces liquid absorption.

Calcium nitrate, or calcium nitrate, copes with increased soil acidity and improves the absorption of the main component. The chemical has a positive effect on all agricultural crops, which is why it is popular among farmers.

Amide fertilizers

The most concentrated products among solid preparations. During the production of such nitrogen fertilizers, two gases are synthesized under high pressure. Neutral powder is safe to apply to acidic soil.

Urea

The popular urea is one of the most productive fertilizers. The chemical in the form of white granules is perfectly soluble in water, and is produced in two brands - A and B. The first type is used in livestock farming, and the second - for gardens and vegetable gardens. Used as a main and additional component for root applications. When processing sheets, it does not burn the plates.

It is advisable to use urea for plants with a long growing season. The product transforms into a form convenient for crops and does not accumulate in tissues or fruits if abused. Nitrogen is slowly washed out of the soil with wastewater.

Liquid nitrogen fertilizers

The products are well absorbed by plants, and the prolonged effect allows them to be evenly distributed over the soil. The chemical acts at a depth of at least 16 cm. Nitrogen dissolved in water is produced in 4 versions:

1. Liquid ammonia. Concentrated fertilizer contains at least 80% of the active ingredient. Colorless anhydrous ammonia with a rich, unpleasant odor evaporates quickly, so store the drug in canisters with thick walls.
2. Ammonia water. The liquid without a strong odor contains at least 22% nitrogen. It is transported in sealed containers.
3. CAS. The content of active nitrogen in the mixture is 32%. The drug is easy to transport, use for foliar treatment and application to the soil. The universal chemical is not demanding on storage conditions and has an affordable price.
4. Ammonia. A variant of liquid nitrogen fertilizer based on urea and two types of nitrate. The inexpensive drug is as effective as the solid form. It is characterized by the complexity of transportation: special sealed low-pressure containers are needed.

Organic nitrogen fertilizers

Manure is a nitrogen fertilizer, but the concentration of the macronutrient in question is low. Bird droppings contain no more than 2.5% of the active substance, and cattle waste contains up to 2%. Peat-based compost heaps are less nutritious than collections consisting of river silt, fallen greenery and tops.

Organic matter cannot be used as the only fertilizer: an unbalanced composition is poorly absorbed by plants, which threatens starvation in the future.

The product decomposes slowly, gradually making the soil acidic. The best results are shown by a combination of natural and industrial preparations.

Complex fertilizers

Ammofoska is a three-component mixture that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium 15% each. The concentrated form - diammofoska - has an increased concentration (26%). The chemical is more productive than simple monosyllabic types and variations of liquid nitrogen fertilizer. Used on all types of soil, recommended for chlorine-sensitive plants.

Nitroammofoska is a complex compound that contains 4 nutrients. Available in the form of pink granules, it dissolves poorly in cold water. The compound is used for autumn digging in the vegetable garden. The solution can be applied in small doses in spring and summer.

Nitrophoska is the basis for fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers. Properly selected content of elements prevents the leaching of substances from the soil and is prolonged in nature. Nutrient components ensure uniform emergence of seedlings and healthy development of crops.

Rules for the use of nitrogen fertilizers

In order for fertilizing to have a positive effect on plants, the preparations must be used correctly. The percentage depends on the time of year and type of crop.

In autumn, useful elements are washed into groundwater, so spring remains the best period.

Nitrogen fertilizers for different types of soil

Procedures for black soils are carried out 2 weeks after the snow melts. Urea is suitable for the first application. During the spring growing season, plants will be helped by phosphorus fertilizer and ammonium nitrate, the nitrogen content of which is sufficient for rapid development.

If you constantly feed with the same type of preparations, the acidity of the soil increases. Nitrogen products must be diluted with neutralizers:

• dolomite flour;
• chalk;
• lime.

In dry steppe and forest-steppe zones, it is necessary to regularly apply nitrogen preparations. Abrupt interruptions in use have a negative impact on resistance to adverse climatic conditions. Seedlings are delayed in development and productivity decreases. Foliar feeding is alternated with soil applications.

Consequences of shortage

Nutrient deficiency negatively affects plants. When organic nitrogen fertilizer is used and there is no regular application, crop development is inhibited. The green mass appears in shades of yellow that are uncharacteristic for the species, and the tips of the plates dry out.

If nitrogen does not enter the soil, then young shoots and ovaries die. When the first signs of deficiency appear, you must immediately fertilize the substrate with mineral preparations. Chemicals are applied to the soil every 2 weeks. Trees and country flowers can be processed one sheet at a time.

Possible harm of nitrogen fertilizers

Excess application is as dangerous as starvation. Beginning farmers often do not understand what exactly nitrogen group fertilizers are needed for and what their features are, so they abuse the procedures at home. A large number of drugs increase the growth and formation of aerial parts. The shoots thicken, the foliage acquires ugly, gigantic proportions.

“Fattening” specimens produce small, weak flowers. The ovaries do not develop, the volume of the harvest decreases. Groundwater does not remove excess nitrogen from the soil well, so nitrates accumulate in fruits and berries. Necrosis appears on the plates, resembling burns in appearance. The green mass crumbles prematurely, which leads to fragmentary destruction of the roots.

Plant health depends on proper care. If you know all types of nitrogen fertilizers and their use, then there will be no problems when using them. Applications are made at the beginning of the growing season. Timely application of fertilizing will help to obtain a rich harvest.

Nitrogen fertilizers are inorganic and organic substances that contain nitrogen and are applied to improve crop yields. Nitrogen is the main element of plant life; it affects the growth and metabolism of agricultural crops, saturates them with useful and nutritious components.

This is a very powerful substance that can both stabilize the phytosanitary condition of the soil and have the opposite effect - if it is overabundant and used incorrectly. Nitrogens differ in the amount of nitrogen they contain and are classified into five groups. The classification of nitrogen fertilizers implies that nitrogen can take different chemical forms in different fertilizers.

The role of nitrogen for plant development

The main reserves of nitrogen are contained in the soil () and amount to about 5%, depending on specific conditions and climatic zones. The more humus in the soil, the richer and more nutritious it is. Light sandy and sandy loam soils are considered the poorest in nitrogen content.

However, even if the soil is very fertile, only 1% of the total nitrogen contained in it will be available for plant nutrition, since the breakdown of humus with the release of mineral salts occurs very slowly. Therefore, nitrogen fertilizers play an important role in crop production; their importance cannot be underestimated, because growing a large and high-quality crop without their use will be extremely problematic.

Nitrogen is an important component of protein, which, in turn, is involved in the formation of the cytoplasm and nucleus of plant cells, chlorophyll, most vitamins and enzymes, which play an important role in the processes of growth and development. Thus, balanced nitrogen nutrition increases the percentage of protein and the content of valuable nutrients in plants, increasing the yield and improving its quality. Nitrogen as fertilizer used for:

• accelerating plant growth;
• saturating the plant with amino acids;
• increasing the volumetric parameters of plant cells, reducing the cuticle and shell;
• accelerating the process of mineralization of nutritional components added to the soil;
• activation of soil microflora;
• extraction of harmful organisms;
• increasing productivity levels

How to determine nitrogen deficiency in plants

The amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied directly depends on the composition of the soil on which the plants are cultivated. Insufficient nitrogen content in the soil directly affects the viability of grown crops. The lack of nitrogen in plants can be determined by their appearance: the leaves become smaller, lose color or turn yellow, quickly die, growth and development slows down, and young shoots stop growing.

Ammonium sulfate

Ammonium sulfate contains up to 20.5% nitrogen, which is readily available to plants and is fixed in the soil due to the cationic nitrogen content. This allows you to apply fertilizer in the fall without fear of possible significant losses of mineral matter due to leaching into groundwater. Ammonium sulfate is also suitable as a main application and for fertilizing.

It has an acidifying effect on the soil, therefore, as in the case of saltpeter, 1.15 kg of a neutralizing substance (chalk, lime, dolomite, etc.) must be added to 1 kg of ammonium sulfate. According to research results, the fertilizer gives an excellent effect when used for feeding. Ammonium sulfate is not demanding on storage conditions, since it is not moistened like ammonium nitrate.

Important! Do not mix ammonium sulfate with alkaline fertilizers: ash, ash, slaked lime. This leads to nitrogen losses.

Potassium nitrate

Or potassium nitrate is a mineral fertilizer in the form of white powder or crystals, which is applied as additional nutrition for crops that cannot tolerate chlorine. The composition includes two main components: potassium (44%) and nitrogen (13%). This ratio with a predominance of potassium can be used even after flowering and ovary formation.

This composition works very well: nitrogen accelerates crop growth, while potassium increases the strength of roots so that they more actively absorb nutrients from the soil. Due to biochemical reactions in which potassium nitrate acts as a catalyst, the respiration of plant cells improves. This activates plant immunity, reducing the risk of many diseases.

This effect has a beneficial effect on increasing productivity. Potassium nitrate is highly hygroscopic, that is, it easily dissolves in water for preparing plant nutrition solutions. The fertilizer is suitable for both root and foliar feeding, in dry and liquid form. The solution acts much faster, so it is often used for fertilizing.

In agriculture, potassium nitrate is mainly used to feed tobacco, etc. But, for example, he loves phosphorus, so this fertilizer will be ineffective for him. There is no point in applying potassium nitrate under the greens, since such use of fertilizer would be irrational.

The effect of nitrogen fertilizers in the form of potassium nitrate on plants is to improve the quality and increase the quantity of the crop. After applying fertilizers, the fruit pulp is fully saturated with fruit sugars, and the size of the fruits themselves increases. If you fertilize at the stage of ovary formation, the shelf life of the fruits will subsequently increase, they will retain their original appearance, useful and taste qualities longer.

Calcium nitrate, calcium nitrate or calcium nitrate is a fertilizer that comes in the form of granules or crystalline salt and is highly soluble in water. Despite the fact that this is a nitrate fertilizer, if the dosages and recommendations for use are followed, it does not harm human health and is of great benefit to agricultural and horticultural crops.

Contains 19% calcium and 13% nitrogen. Calcium nitrate is good because it does not increase the acidity of the soil, unlike most other types of fertilizers containing nitrogen. This feature allows the use of calcium nitrate on different types of soil. The fertilizer works especially effectively on sod-podzolic soils.

It is calcium that promotes the complete absorption of nitrogen, which ensures good growth and development of crops. With a lack of calcium, the root system of the plant suffers first of all, as it lacks nutrition. The roots stop receiving moisture and rot. Of the two existing aggregate forms of calcium nitrate, it is better to choose granular, it is more convenient to handle, does not spray during use and does not absorb moisture from the air.

Basic benefits of calcium nitrate:

• high-quality formation of green mass of plants by strengthening cells;
• acceleration of germination of seeds and tubers;
• healing and strengthening of the root system;
• increasing resistance to diseases, bacteria and fungi;
• increasing winter hardiness of plants;
• improvement of taste and quantitative indicators of the harvest.

Did you know? Nitrogen helps well in the fight against insect pests of fruit trees, for which urea is often used as. Before the buds bloom, the crown needs to be sprayed with a urea solution (50-70 g per 1 liter of water). This will save the plants from overwintering in the bark or in the soil near the tree trunk. Do not exceed the dosage of urea, otherwise it will lead to leaf burns.

Sodium nitrate, sodium nitrate or sodium nitrate finds its use not only in crop production and agriculture, but also in industry. These are solid white crystals, often with a yellowish or grayish tint, and are highly soluble in water. The nitrogen content in nitrate form is about 16%.

Sodium nitrate is obtained from natural deposits using a crystallization process or from synthetic ammonia, which contains nitrogen. Sodium nitrate is actively used on all types of soils, especially under, and, vegetable crops, fruit and berry and flower crops when applied in early spring.

Works most effectively on acidic soils, Because it is an alkaline fertilizer, it slightly alkalizes the soil. Sodium nitrate has proven itself well as a top dressing and for use during sowing. Fertilizer is not recommended to be applied in the fall, as there is a risk of nitrogen leaching into groundwater.

Important! It is forbidden to mix sodium nitrate and superphosphate. It also cannot be used on salt licks, since they are already oversaturated with sodium.

– crystalline granules with a high nitrogen content (up to 46%). The advantage is that the nitrogen contained in urea easily dissolves in water, At the same time, useful substances do not go into the lower layer of soil. Urea is recommended to be used as a foliar fertilizer, since it has a gentle effect and does not burn the leaves, provided the dosage is observed.

Thus, urea can be used during the growing season of plants; it is suitable for all types and times of application. Fertilizer is used before sowing, as the main fertilizing, by deepening the crystals into the soil so that ammonia does not evaporate in the open air. During sowing, it is recommended to apply urea together with potassium fertilizers; this helps eliminate the negative effect that urea can have due to the presence of the harmful substance biuret in its composition.

Foliar feeding is carried out using a spray bottle in the morning or evening. A solution of urea (5%) does not burn the leaves, unlike ammonium nitrate. The fertilizer is used on all types of soils to feed flowering crops, fruit and berry plants, vegetables and root crops. Urea is added to the soil two weeks before sowing so that the biuret has time to dissolve, otherwise the plants may die.

Important! Do not allow liquid nitrogen-containing fertilizers to come into contact with plant leaves. This causes them to burn.

Liquid nitrogen fertilizers

They have gained wide popularity due to their affordable price: the resulting product is 30 - 40% cheaper than its solid counterparts. Let's look at the main points liquid nitrogen fertilizers:

• Liquid ammonia is the most concentrated nitrogen fertilizer, containing up to 82% nitrogen. It is a colorless, mobile (volatile) liquid with a specific pungent odor of ammonia. To fertilize with liquid ammonia, special closed machines are used that lay the fertilizer to a depth of at least 15-18 cm so that it does not evaporate. Stored in special thick-walled tanks.
• Ammonia water, or aqueous ammonia, is produced in two types with different percentages of nitrogen: 20% and 16%. Just like liquid ammonia, ammonia water is introduced by special machines and stored in closed tanks designed for high pressure. These two fertilizers are as effective as solid crystalline nitrogen fertilizers.
• Ammonia - is obtained by dissolving combinations of nitrogen fertilizers in aqueous ammonia: ammonium and calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, urea, etc. The result is a yellow liquid fertilizer, which contains from 30 to 50% nitrogen. In terms of their effect on crops, ammonia is equivalent to solid nitrogen fertilizers, but is not as widespread due to the inconvenience of use. Ammonia is transported and stored in sealed aluminum tanks designed for low pressure.
• Urea-ammonium mixture (UAM) is a very effective liquid nitrogen fertilizer that is actively used in crop production. UAN solutions have undeniable advantages over other nitrogen-containing fertilizers. The main advantage is the low content of free ammonia, which almost eliminates the loss of nitrogen due to the volatility of ammonia during transportation and application of nitrogen to the soil, which is observed when using liquid ammonia and ammonia. Thus, there is no need to create complex sealed storage facilities and tanks for transportation.

All liquid fertilizers have their advantages over solid ones - better absorption by plants, a longer shelf life and the ability to evenly distribute the fertilizer.

Organic nitrogen fertilizers

Nitrogen is found in small quantities in almost all types of organic fertilizers. About 0.5-1% nitrogen contains manure; 1-1.25% - (the highest content is in chicken, duck and pigeon droppings, but they are also more toxic).

You can prepare organic nitrogen fertilizers yourself: heaps based on them contain up to 1.5% nitrogen; compost from household waste contains about 1.5% nitrogen. Green mass (clover, lupine, sweet clover) contain about 0.4-0.7% nitrogen; green foliage – 1-1.2% nitrogen; lake silt - from 1.7 to 2.5%.

It is worth remembering that using organic matter alone as a source of nitrogen is ineffective. This can deteriorate the quality of the soil, acidify it and fail to provide the necessary nitrogen nutrition to crops. To achieve maximum effect for plants, it is best to give preference to the use of a complex of mineral and organic nitrogen fertilizers.

Precautions

When working with nitrogen fertilizers, be sure to follow the instructions for use, follow the recommendations and not violate the dosage. The second important point is to wear closed, thick clothing so that the drugs do not get on the skin and mucous membranes.

Liquid nitrogen fertilizers are especially toxic: ammonia and ammonia water. Strict compliance with safety regulations when working with them is mandatory. The ammonia water storage tank should be no more than 93% full to avoid spillage from heating. Only persons wearing special protective clothing who have undergone a medical examination, training and instructions are allowed to work with liquid ammonia. Thanks for your opinion!

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The use of nitrogen fertilizers is an important condition for growing healthy and useful garden crops. The main element of such compositions is nitrogen, which is very important for the proper development of each plant.

Fertilizers with nitrogen are especially important for fruit and berry crops. They accelerate the growth of plants and fruits, improve taste characteristics. Nitrogen can be easily absorbed in various soils (peat, podzolic, chernozem).

Large amounts of nitrogen can be found in organic compounds, but this form acts as a bait for a large number of pests. Under the influence of many insects, the plant may die. That is why many summer residents and They use a form of nitrogen fertilizer that is more useful for gardening plants, and includes all the necessary minerals.

Nitrogen mineral fertilizers are used to enrich any soil mixture with special mineral components, regardless of the composition of the soil and the pH level. The only difference is that it is necessary to take into account the number of fertilizers applied for different soils. So, for compositions that are more depleted in nutrients, a large amount of fertilizers and the regularity of their application are required, and on chernozem such consumption will be slightly less.

The first symptoms for their use becomes the appearance of culture. With a low nitrogen content, plant leaves lose all their color saturation, begin to turn yellow for no particular reason and fall off, poor development and slow formation of new shoots are observed.

Of course, such symptoms indicate severe depletion of the soil composition; mineral fertilizing should be used before it appears. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are divided into three types:

• Ammonia.
• Amide.
• Nitrate.

Fertilizers in the form of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate are more widely used. Nitrate compounds are used much less frequently, but they still have their own advantages: they do not acidify the soil mixture, which in some cases is very important for plants. This group includes the sodium and potassium structure.

Amide fertilizers are the most famous and widespread type of nitrogen fertilizer among summer residents and farmers. Urea is considered a special representative of this group.

Product Use

Nitrogen impurities are added to the soil mixture when planting plants and for their further feeding. They are also added to enrich the soil with mineral components during plowing of the site.

Nitrogen fertilizers are used both for the care of fruit and vegetable plants, and for indoor crops. First of all, nitrogen affects the development and increased density of green masses, and its excessive amount can lead to a delay in the flowering of the crop. It is also necessary to take into account that crops with bulbous, woody or branched roots most of all need nitrogen, which should be added to the soil from a very early age of the plant. Root crops are not fertilized at all during the initial period of growth; such actions begin only after the development of stronger foliage.

And you also need to remember that due to their artificial origin, such components can cause some harm to plants if the dosage is incorrect and haphazardly applied.

Despite the fact that nitrogen fertilizers can be of three types, there are also several subtypes of their compounds.

Ammonium and ammonia fertilizers

Ammonium sulfate is a fertilizer that contains 21 percent nitrogen, simply dissolves in water, and almost does not cake. The product is also a valuable supplier of sulfur, which is found in such a compound in the amount of 24 percent. In its composition it is a neutral salt, but when absorbed by plants it becomes an acidifying substance.

Fertilizer should be used on acidic soils carefully and at a certain dosage, or replace it with other preparations. You should also be especially careful when using it on brown, gray forest, soddy-podzolic soils, yellow soils and red soils. In such areas, ammonium sulfate is used only in conjunction with alkaline phosphorus impurities, for example, with lime, phosphate rock and phosphate slag.

On semi-desert and chernozem soils, soil acidification using ammonium sulfate should be avoided, since they contain a large number of free carbonates that neutralize its effects.

The best method of fertilizing is to irrigate the land. As the experience of many gardeners shows, ammonium sulfate is not very effective when applied to the soil.

Ammonium chloride is a crystalline component that includes 25 percent nitrogen. It dissolves well in water and is slightly hygroscopic. Like ammonium sulfate, it gives the soil increased acidity, therefore, the same contraindications must be taken into account to acidity and combine ammonium with alkaline fertilizers to neutralize the mixture.

You should be especially careful and use ammonium chloride only following the manufacturer's instructions, since the chlorine contained inside may not be well tolerated by some crops in the garden; they may die from its application. Such plants with increased sensitivity include: grapes, potatoes, citrus fruits, flax, tobacco, buckwheat, fruits and vegetables. Winter crops and grain crops have an equal effect on fertilizers.

This group of fertilizers includes calcium and sodium nitrate. Such alkaline compounds react well with acidic soil and can also be used together with other products that have an acidic reaction.

Sodium nitrate contains 16 percent nitrogen. Organoleptic features: crystalline powder, hygroscopic and simply dissolves in water. Most often, this fertilizer is used for growing root crops, for which they are introduced into the soil during planting, and then the plant itself is watered directly with a solution with weak acidity.

Potassium nitrate contains 15 percent nitrogen. It dissolves quickly in water and has a high hygroscopicity rate, which is considered an indication for sale and storage in well-packed plastic bags. This fertilizer is best suited for acidic soils or for neutralizing other compounds that have a special acidity effect.

This group includes lime-ammonium and ammonium nitrate.

The total amount of nitrogen in this fertilizer reaches 35 percent. Ammonium nitrate is hygroscopic, so it must be stored in well-packed, waterproof bags. When applied to the soil, saltpeter must be combined with freshly slaked lime, the ratio is calculated from a ratio of 7:3. This method is most often used for machine fertilization of fields. The production of nitrogen fertilizers involves the addition of a component that absorbs excess moisture and is classified as a leavening agent. Such a component can be phosphate rock, ground limestone and chalk.

Ammonium nitrate quickly dissolves in water, and therefore when watering it is not diluted with water, but applied when planting crops in a dry format. You should not use this fertilizer yourself on soils with a high level of acidity, as this aggravates their HP reaction.

Ammonium nitrate can be used both when planting and when re-fertilizing the plant. Most often it is used for growing beets, grain plants, potatoes, row crops and winter crops.

Calcium ammonium nitrate contains up to 20 percent nitrogen, and due to the presence of calcium carbonate in the composition, it is considered a more favorable plant for fertilizer.

Amide compounds

Amide fertilizers include urea, which is in second place in terms of nitrogen content. It contains 46 percent of it. The fertilizer is produced in the form of granules covered with a protective film, which contains fats that prevent the substance from caking. When using urea, it should not be applied superficially to plants.

This is due to the fact that when it reacts with soil bacteria, it changes to ammonium carbon dioxide. This is a simpler and more accessible form for absorption by cultures. But we must remember that, interacting with open air, it begins to actively decompose, including into gaseous ammonia, and the positive result of applying fertilizer to the soil decreases as it evaporates.

Liquid ammonia is in first place in the amount of nitrogen - 82.3 percent. The process of its creation is quite simple; the substance can be obtained by burning ammonia gas. Anhydrous ammonia must not be stored in an open place, since it has the inherent property of evaporating, and it also leads to corrosion of metals: copper and zinc, but has no effect on iron, steel and cast iron, because of this, it is customary to store fertilizer in thick-walled tanks made from these metals.

Application of nitrogen mixtures

Nitrogen-type fertilizers quickly and easily dissolve in water, so they reach the root system of plants in a short time . More efficient method Their use will be to apply them to the ground directly under the roots of the crop in the spring, when the lack of such a component has a particularly strong effect on the developing plant.

The decision about which nitrogen fertilizers to use must be justified and carefully weighed in each case. It is not recommended to add them to the soil in the fall; this restriction applies to shrubs and perennial trees, as this can reduce their frost resistance and in the event of severe cold, the crop most often dies.

Attention, TODAY only!

Today, specialized stores for gardeners and gardeners sell such an assortment of nitrogen fertilizers that inevitably questions arise: why are there so many of them, how do they differ from each other, and which of them is the most nitrogenous.

At first glance, the questions seem to be humorous, but the correct answer to the last two directly determines the future harvest. So let's figure it out.

Nitrogen is one of the cornerstones of the existence of life on earth. Not a single animal, including humans, and not a single plant can exist without nitrogen. Nitrogen is part of lipoids, alkaloids and other substances important for life. Nitrogen is part of chlorophyll, without which it is impossible for plants to absorb solar energy.

A lack of nitrogen in the soil sharply reduces the yield of both garden and vegetable crops. But, on the other hand, an excess of this element also negatively affects productivity, since in this case the plants intensively “drive” the green mass to the detriment of fruit set and formation.

However, during different periods of growth and development, different parts of plants require different amounts of nitrogen. In spring, during the active growth phase, the most nitrogen is found in young leaves and stems. Then, as the fruits form and grow, nitrogen-containing compounds gradually accumulate in the fruits, “embedded” in chains of protein compounds.

Knowing these characteristics of plants, you can promptly provide them with a sufficient amount of nitrogen by introducing the required amount of organic or mineral fertilizers.

Why do we need nitrogen fertilizers?

Value for the plant (photo):

Despite the fact that nitrogen compounds are found in almost any soil, their amount in different types of soil can vary significantly. There is very little nitrogen in light sandy and sandy loam soils; podzolic soils also suffer from a lack of chernozem. Plants growing on chernozems are most provided with soil nitrogen.

But the nitrogen content in the soil is far from the only indicator that affects the supply of plants with “own nitrogen”. Only about 1% of the total amount of nitrogen in the soil can be absorbed by plants.

It turns out to be a paradox: plants need nitrogen to grow and form a good harvest, but they cannot always “pull” the required amount of this element from the soil. In this case, nitrogen fertilizers come to the rescue.

What types of nitrogen fertilizers are there?

When talking about nitrogen fertilizers, we usually mean special mineral substances artificially saturated with nitrogen. The value of such fertilizers is that they contain nitrogen in a form easily absorbed by plants.

But nitrogen fertilizers can also be of organic origin. Fresh manure contains from 0.5 to 1% nitrogen, bird droppings - 1-2.5%, peat-based compost - up to 1.5%, green manure can contain from 0.4 to 1.2% nitrogen.

If there is enough nitrogen in the soil, its reserves can be replenished by applying only organic fertilizers. However, on poor soils, the nitrogen contained in organic matter is not enough for normal growth and development of plants.

And it is not always convenient to fertilize with organic fertilizers, especially if fertilizing needs to be done over a large area. In this case, mineral nitrogen fertilizers come to the rescue.

Mineral nitrogen fertilizers

There are many mineral nitrogen fertilizers, differing both in the percentage of nitrogen and in various mineral additives.

They are usually divided into 5 groups:

• nitrate fertilizers;
• ammonium fertilizers;
• ammonium nitrate fertilizers;
• amide fertilizers;
• liquid fertilizers.

The most popular nitrogen fertilizers are:

• ammonium nitrate;
• ammonium sulfate;
• urea.

There are also combined fertilizers that contain nitrogen. The most popular and in demand of these fertilizers is nitroammophoska.

Ammonium nitrate

Representative of the ammonium nitrate group. The most popular single-component nitrogen fertilizer today. It is produced primarily in granules, although it can also be produced in the form of white crystals or flakes. 33-34% consists of pure nitrogen. Ammonium nitrate is easily and quickly absorbed by crops. Suitable for fertilizing almost all agricultural crops, vegetables and fruits.

One of the varieties of this fertilizer (some sources classify it as independent) is lime-ammonium nitrate. The nitrogen content in it is less than in the usual one - only 17-21%, but due to the addition of crushed lime or chalk chips to its composition, it is enriched with calcium and magnesium.

Ammonium nitrate is very hygroscopic. If it is stored in a room with high humidity levels, its crystals will stick together and the fertilizer will cake. In addition, saltpeter has another unpleasant feature: when heated, it can ignite and even explode.

The main disadvantage of ammonium nitrate as a fertilizer is that it can be washed out by water into the lower layers of the soil, so its effectiveness as the main fertilizer applied in the fall is greatly reduced.

Ammonium sulfate

Representative of the ammonium fertilizer group. This nitrogen fertilizer is available in the form of a fine crystalline powder, almost white or gray powder. Contains 21% nitrogen and 23-24% sulfur. The color depends on the organic additives used in its production. Ammonium is almost instantly absorbed by crops and is practically not washed out of the soil.

A variety of this fertilizer is sodium ammonium sulfate. It contains about 16 percent nitrogen and about 9 percent sodium. It is produced in the form of salt, most often yellow, but can also be dark gray.

Ammonium sulfate, most of all nitrogen fertilizers, has the ability to acidify the soil. At the same time, attempts to neutralize its acidifying effect by adding slaked lime or ash are initially ineffective. The only effective method of deoxidizing the soil is to add crushed limestone along with it.

Urea (urea)

Representative of the amide group. The most “nitrogen-containing” mineral fertilizer today, the nitrogen content in its composition exceeds 46%. It is produced in the form of white granules, easily dissolves in water, and is excellent for fertilizing simultaneously with watering. It is also used for basic fertilizing, working granules into the soil.

Other types of nitrogen fertilizers are also produced: ammonium chloride, sodium and calcium nitrate. There are also liquid nitrogen fertilizers: ammonia water and anhydrous ammonia. But for some reasons, both objective and subjective, they are less in demand among summer residents and owners of household plots.

For example, liquid nitrogen fertilizers are widely used in large agricultural enterprises, but their application requires the use of special, expensive equipment. Calcium nitrate cannot be mixed with phosphates, and sodium nitrate is used mainly when growing sugar beets.

Application of nitrogen fertilizers

Almost all plants respond to correctly applied nitrogen fertilizers with an increase in yield. But in some cases, when “too much” nitrogen, the yield not only does not increase, but also practically disappears. Potatoes and root crops are especially capricious in this regard, which, with an excess of nitrogen, “drive” the gorgeous tops, but practically do not form tubers and the underground part of the root crops.

To avoid such troubles, you should follow the norms for applying nitrogen fertilizers. As part of the main fertilizer, it is necessary to apply 600-900 grams of nitrogen per hundred square meters (100 m²). If these absolute figures are converted into different fertilizers, then ammonium nitrate will require 2-2.5 kg, ammonium sulfate - 3-4 kg, and urea - 1.5-2 kg.

To fertilize most vegetable crops, potatoes and flowers, the nitrogen application rate is 150-200 g per hundred square meters (ammonium nitrate - 500-600 g, ammonium sulfate - 800-1000 g, urea - 300-350 g). For feeding fruit and berry crops, the nitrogen consumption rate will be slightly higher - 200-300 g per 1 hundred square meters (ammonium nitrate - 600-800 g, ammonium sulfate - 1000-1200 g, urea - 350-550 g).

But it is better to use a simpler formula when fertilizing: 15-30 grams of nitrogen per 10 liters of water. The resulting aqueous solution should be enough to feed 10 m² of plants. For foliar feeding, aqueous solutions of 0.25-0.5% concentration (25-50 g per 10 liters of water) are used. This amount is enough to feed plants on an area of ​​1-2 acres.

Regardless of the type, almost all nitrogen fertilizers tend to acidify the soil. Therefore, simultaneously with their application or immediately before it, it is necessary to add ground limestone to neutralize their effect. The only exceptions are sodium and calcium nitrate. These two nitrogen fertilizers make acidic soil more alkaline.

It is impossible to obtain high yields without providing the plants with a sufficient amount of nitrogen. But it must be entered correctly. The ideal option when applying basic fertilizer is to apply it during cultivation. As soon as the earth is saturated with moisture, the nitrogen will dissolve and sink lower - just into the soil layer where the bulk of the plant roots are located.

When carrying out nitrogen fertilizing, you should pay attention to the appearance of the plants. If the plants are well developed and richly green in color, then when feeding it is better to give a minimum dose of nitrogen, or even refuse to use it at all. And vice versa: if the plants are frail and pale green in color, then you need to give the maximum dose of fertilizing.

In pursuit of high yields, do not forget that mineral nitrogen fertilizers can be not only a good helper.

High concentrations of nitrogen harm our health in two ways: being washed away by water into the lower layers of the soil and from there getting into the water, and accumulating nitrates in grown plants. Therefore, they, like other synthetic products, must be used wisely, guided by the principle “do no harm.” Then grateful plants will respond to their application with a generous, tasty and healthy harvest.