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

This is a very powerful substance that can both stabilize the phytosanitary state of the soil and have the opposite effect - if it is overestimated and misused. Nitrogen ones 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 in 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 terms of 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 decay of humus with the release of mineral salts is very slow. That's why nitrogen fertilizers play an important role in crop production, their importance should not be underestimated, because it will be extremely problematic to grow a large and high-quality crop without their use.

Nitrogen is an important component of protein, which, in turn, participates in the formation of the cytoplasm and nucleus of plant cells, chlorophyll, most vitamins and enzymes that play an important role in the processes of growth and development. Thus, a 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;
• saturation of the plant with amino acids;
• an increase in the volumetric parameters of plant cells, a decrease in the cuticle and shell;
• accelerating the process of mineralization of nutrients introduced into the soil;
• activation of the state of soil microflora;
• extraction of harmful organisms;
• increasing yields

How to determine the lack of nitrogen in plants

The amount of nitrogen fertilizers 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 the crops grown. Lack of nitrogen in plants can be determined by their appearance: the leaves become smaller, lose color or turn yellow, die off quickly, 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 minerals due to leaching into groundwater. Ammonium sulphate is also suitable as a base and top dressing application.

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

Important! Do not mix ammonium sulfate with alkaline fertilizers: ash, slag, 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 an additional nutrition for crops that are not tolerant of chlorine. It contains two main components: potassium (44%) and nitrogen (13%). This ratio with the prevalence of potassium can be used even after flowering and ovary formation.

This composition works very well: thanks to nitrogen, the growth of crops is accelerated, while potassium increases the strength of the 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 is improved. This activates plant immunity, reducing the risk of many diseases.

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

V agriculture potassium nitrate is mainly fed, tobacco, etc. But, for example, he loves phosphorus, so this fertilizer will be ineffective for him. It makes no sense to add potassium nitrate under the greens, and since such a use of fertilizer will be irrational.

The effect of nitrogen fertilizers in the form of potassium nitrate on plants is to improve the quality and increase the amount of the crop. After fertilization, the pulp of the fruit is fully saturated with fruit sugars, and the size of the fruit itself increases. If you feed at the stage of setting the ovaries, then the fruits will subsequently increase the shelf life of the fruits, they will retain their original appearance, useful and taste qualities for a longer time.

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

In the composition - 19% calcium and 13% nitrogen. The good thing about calcium nitrate is that it does not increase the acidity of the soil, unlike most other types of fertilizers that contain nitrogen. This feature allows the use of calcium nitrate on different types soil. The fertilizer works especially effectively on sod-podzolic soils.

It is calcium that contributes to the full assimilation of nitrogen, which provides good growth and the development of cultures. With a lack of calcium, the root system of the plant suffers, first of all, which 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.

The main advantages of calcium nitrate:

• high-quality formation of green mass of plants by strengthening the cells;
• acceleration of germination of seeds and tubers;
• recovery and strengthening of the root system;
• increased resistance to disease, bacteria and fungi;
• increasing the winter hardiness of plants;
• improving the taste and quantity of the yield.

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 must 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 trunk circle. Do not exceed the dosage of urea, otherwise it will lead to leaf burns.

Sodium nitrate, sodium nitrate or sodium nitrate is used not only in plant growing and agriculture, but also in industry. These are solid white crystals, often with a yellowish or grayish tint, readily soluble in water. The nitrogen content in the nitrate form is about 16%.

Sodium nitrate is obtained from natural deposits using the 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 with early spring application.

It works most effectively on acidic soils, since it is an alkaline fertilizer, it alkalizes the soil a little. Sodium nitrate has proven itself as a top dressing and use for sowing. Fertilizer is not recommended to be applied in autumn, as there is a risk of nitrogen leaching into groundwater.

Important! It is forbidden to mix sodium nitrate and superphosphate. You can also not use it on salt licks, since they are already oversaturated with sodium.

- crystalline granules with a high nitrogen content (up to 46%). The plus is that the nitrogen contained in urea, easily soluble in water, at the same time, useful substances do not go into the lower soil layer. It is recommended to use urea as a foliar dressing, since it has a gentle effect and does not burn the leaves, if the dosage is observed.

Thus, urea can be applied during the growing season of plants, it is suitable for all types and times of application. Fertilizer is used before sowing, as the main top dressing, 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 to eliminate the negative effect that urea can have due to the presence in its composition harmful substance biuret.

Foliar dressing is carried out using a spray bottle in the morning or evening. A solution of carbamide (5%) does not burn the leaves, unlike ammonium nitrate. The fertilizer is used on all types of soils for feeding flowering crops, fruit and berry plants, vegetables and root crops. Urea is introduced into 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 get on plant leaves. This causes them to burn.

Liquid nitrogen fertilizers

Gained wide popularity thanks to affordable price: at the output, the product is 30 - 40% cheaper than its solid counterparts. Consider the main issues 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 smell of ammonia. To carry out top dressing with liquid ammonia, special closed machines are used, placing the fertilizer at a depth of at least 15-18 cm so that it does not evaporate. Store 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 brought in by special machines and stored in closed tanks designed for high pressure... In terms of efficiency, these two fertilizers are equal to solid crystalline nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
• Ammonia - obtained by dissolving combinations of nitrogen fertilizers in aqueous ammonia: ammonium and calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, urea, etc. As a result, a yellow liquid fertilizer is obtained, which contains from 30 to 50% nitrogen. In terms of action on crops, ammoniacalates are equated to solid nitrogen fertilizers, but they are not so widespread due to inconvenience in use. Ammonia is transported and stored in sealed aluminum tanks designed for low pressure.
• Urea-ammonium mixture (UAN) is a very effective liquid nitrogen fertilizer, which 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 introduction of nitrogen into the soil, which is observed when using liquid ammonia and ammonia. Thus, there is no need to create complex pressurized storage and transportation tanks.

All liquid fertilizers have their own advantages over solid fertilizers - better digestibility by plants, a longer period of action and the ability to evenly distribute the fertilizing.

Organic nitrogen fertilizers

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

Organic nitrogen fertilizers can be prepared independently: based heaps contain up to 1.5% nitrogen; in the compost from household waste about 1.5% nitrogen. Green mass (clover, lupine, sweet clover) contains 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 organics alone as a nitrogen source is ineffective. This can deteriorate the quality of the soil, acidify it and not provide the necessary nitrogen nutrition for crops. It is best to give preference to the use of a complex of mineral and organic nitrogen fertilizers to achieve the maximum effect for plants.

Precautionary measures

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 the presence of closed, tight 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 adherence to safety rules when working with them is imperative. The ammonia water storage tank should be no more than 93% full to avoid heat spill. Only persons in special protective clothing who have passed a medical examination, training and instruction are allowed to work with liquid ammonia. Thank you for your opinion!

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Organic fertilizers contain small amounts of nitrogen. All types of manure contain 0.5-1% nitrogen. Bird droppings 1-2.5% nitrogen. The highest percentage of nitrogen is found in duck, chicken and pigeon droppings, but it is also the most toxic. The maximum amount of nitrogen contains vermicompost up to 3%.

Natural organic nitrogen fertilizers can be made with your own hands: compost heaps (especially on a peat basis) contain a certain amount of nitrogen (up to 1.5%), compost from household waste also contains up to 1.5% nitrogen. Green mass (lupine, sweet clover, vetch, clover) contains about 0.4-0.7% nitrogen, green foliage contains 1-1.2%, lake silt (1.7-2.5%).

For the "healing" of compost, it is recommended to use a number of plants that contain substances that suppress the development of putrefactive processes. These include mustard leaves, various mint, nettles, medicinal comfrey (it is rich in soluble potassium), horseradish.

Organic fertilizer with high content nitrogen can be prepared from mullein. To do this, put a mullein in the barrel, filling the barrel by one third, add water and let it ferment for 1-2 weeks. Then dilute with water 3-4 times and water the plants. Pre-watering with water. You can do this. The introduction of any fertilizers acidifies the soil, therefore it is necessary to add ash, dolomite flour, lime.

But it is not recommended to carry out nitrogen fertilizers with ash at the same time. Because with this combination, nitrogen turns into ammonia and quickly evaporates.

So what contains organic nitrogen for plant nutrition?

Natural nitrogen fertilizers and their nitrogen content.

• manure - up to 1% (horse - 0.3-0.8%, pork - 0.3-1.0%, mullein - 0.1-0.7%);
• vermicompost or vermicompost - up to 3%
• humus - up to 1%;
• droppings (bird, pigeon, duck) - up to 2.5%;
• peat compost - up to 1.5%;
• household waste - up to 1.5%;
• green foliage - up to 1.2%;
• green mass - up to 0.7%;
• lake silt - up to 2.5%.

Organic nitrogen fertilizers restrain the accumulation of nitrates in the soil, but they are used with caution. The introduction of manure (compost) into the soil is accompanied by the release of nitrogen up to 2 g / kg within 3-4 months. Plants assimilate it easily.

A little more statistics, one ton of half-matured fertilizer contains 15 kg of ammonium nitrate, 12.5 kg of potassium chloride and the same amount of superphosphate.

Annually, up to 40 grams gets into the soil together with atmospheric precipitation per one hundred square meters of land. coherent nitrogen. In addition, the soil microflora that processes atmospheric nitrogen is capable of enriching the soil with nitrogen in an amount of 50 to 100 grams per hundred square meters. More bound nitrogen for the soil can only be provided by special nitrogen-fixing plants.

A natural source of organic nitrogen can be nitrogen-fixing plants used as back crops. Certain plants, such as beans and clover, lupine, alfalfa, and many others, store nitrogen in the nodules of their roots. These nodules release nitrogen into the soil gradually over the life of the plant, and when the plant dies, the remaining nitrogen increases the overall fertility of the soil. Such plants are called siderates and in general.

A weave of peas or beans planted on your site can accumulate 700 grams of nitrogen in the soil per year. Weaving clover - 130 grams. Lupine is 170 grams and alfalfa is 280 grams.

By sowing these plants after harvesting and removing plant residues from the site, you will enrich the soil with nitrogen.

Whey as an organic source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

The most accessible nitrogenous fertilizer for plants is whey. Due to the content of protein in it, which in the process of watering plants with the addition of whey enters the soil. And there, under the influence of soil microflora, nitrogen is released, which becomes available to plants. That is, in this way, nitrogen fertilization of plants is carried out.

To carry out such a feeding, it is necessary to dilute 1 liter of milk whey in 10 liters of water. And water the plants at the rate of 1 liter of serum diluted 10 times per plant.

If you add 40 ml of pharmacy ammonia to 1 liter of serum beforehand. That ammonia interacts with lactic acid resulting in ammonium lactate.

Using such a solution on a regular basis will not be able to affect the acidity of the soil, which is very good. As if we didn't add ammonia to the whey. Then at frequent use whey for root feeding of plants the acidity of the soil would inevitably increase.

In addition, whey itself contains a large amount of minerals. Every 100 grams of milk whey contains:

• 78 milligrams of phosphorus;
• 143 milligrams potassium
• 103 milligrams of calcium.

It also contains trace amounts of magnesium and sodium.

comfrey officinalis

Natural nitrogen-containing fertilizers obtained by industrial processing.

Blood meal is an organic product made from dried blood and contains 13 percent of the total nitrogen. This is a very high percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer. You can use the blood meal as a nitrogen fertilizer by sprinkling it on the surface of the soil and sprinkling it on top with water to help absorb the blood meal. Alternatively, you can mix blood meal directly with water and apply it as a liquid fertilizer.

Blood meal is an especially good source of nitrogen for fertile soil aficionados like lettuce and corn because it works quickly.
Blood meal can be used as a compost component or as a decomposition accelerator for other organic materials, as it is a catalyst for decomposition processes.

Soy flour is a source of nitrogen nutrition for soil microorganisms. When soy flour is decomposed by soil microflora, then mineralized nitrogen will become available to plants. It can also be used as a compost component along with fish meal. Which, after mineralization, will become not only a source of nitrogen, but also a number of trace elements.

Nitrogen fertilizers Video:

Nitrogen fertilizers- nitrogen-containing substances, which are used to increase the nitrogen content in the soil. Depending on the form of the nitrogen compound, one-component nitrogen fertilizers are divided into six groups. They are used in the main method as a pre-sowing fertilizer and as a quality. The production is based on the production of synthetic ammonia from molecular hydrogen and nitrogen.

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Nitrogen fertilizer groups

Depending on the nitrogen compound contained, one-component nitrogen fertilizers are divided into six groups:

• ( , );
• (, ammonium chloride);
• Amide ();
• (, (CAS);

Nitrate fertilizers

Nitrate fertilizers contain in nitrate form (NO 3 -). This group includes NaNO 3 and Ca (NO 3) 2.

Nitrate fertilizers are physiologically alkaline and shift the soil response from acidic to neutral. Due to this property, their use is very effective on acidic sod-podzolic soils. Not recommended for use on saline soils.

Nitrogen fertilizers (by forms of nitrogen)

Ammonium fertilizers are substances containing NH 4 + in the form of an ammonium cation.

These include ammonium sulfate (NH 4) 2 SO 4, ammonium-sodium sulfate (NH 4) 2 SO + Na 2 SO 4 or Na (NH4) SO4 * 2H2O), ammonium chloride NH 4 Cl.

The production of ammonium fertilizers is simpler and cheaper than nitrate fertilizers, since the oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid is not required.

all over the world they are used in irrigated agriculture for rice and cotton, especially in areas of excessive moisture, in particular, in the tropics. In Russia, ammonium sulfate has been produced since 1899. For the first time it was obtained in the Donbass, at the Shcherbinsky mine by capturing and neutralizing ammonia with sulfuric acid, which is formed during the coking of coal. A schematic diagram of this method is used now.

receive as a waste of caprolac production. Effective when applied under beets and other root crops due to the presence of sodium. Recommended for hayfields and pastures.

Ammonium Chloride (Ammonium Chloride)

contains a significant amount of chlorine - 67%, 24-26%. Use under chlorine-sensitive crops (potatoes, tobacco, grapes, onions, cabbage, flax, hemp) as fertilizer or not recommended. It is possible to introduce ammonium chloride under chlorophobic crops only in the fall and in areas of sufficient moisture. In this case, chlorine ions will be washed out of the root layer by atmospheric precipitation.

Ammonium chloride is a fine crystalline yellowish or white powder. At 20 ° C, 37.2 g of the substance is dissolved in 100 m 3 of water. Possesses good physical properties, does not cake during storage, is low hygroscopic.

Ammonium chloride is produced as a by-product in the production of soda.

Ammonium-nitrate fertilizers contain nitrogen in the ammonium (NH 4 +) and nitrate form (NO 3 -). This group includes ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3), ammonium sulphonitrate ((NH 4) 2 SO 4 * 2NH 4 NO 3 + (NH 4) SO 4), calcium ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3 * CaCO 3).

contains nitrate and ammonium nitrogen in a ratio of 1: 1. It is more correct to call this fertilizer ammonium nitrate, but ammonium nitrate is a more common name. It is the most effective one-component nitrogen fertilizer. Ammonium nitrate is a ballastless fertilizer. The cost of its transportation and application to the soil is much lower than that of other nitrogen fertilizers (with the exception of urea and liquid ammonia). The combination of mobile nitrate nitrogen with less mobile ammonium nitrogen makes it possible to vary the methods, doses and timing of the application of ammonium nitrate, depending on the regional soil and climatic conditions and the characteristics of agricultural cultivation.

(ammonium sulfate nitrate, montane nitrate, lane nitrate) is a grayish fine crystalline or granular grayish substance.

The physicochemical properties of the fertilizer make it possible to successfully use it in various soil and climatic conditions. Potentially acidic.

Calcium ammonium nitrate

- granular fertilizer. The ratio of nitrate to lime varies depending on the brand of fertilizer. It is widely used in Western Europe.

Amide fertilizers

Amide fertilizers contain in amide form (NH 2 -). This group includes urea CO (NH 2) 2. The nitrogen in urea is present in organic form as carbamic acid amide. It is the most common solid nitrogen fertilizer. It is used in all methods of introduction, but it is most effective for.

Liquid ammonia fertilizers are liquid forms of nitrogen fertilizers. This group includes liquid (anhydrous ammonia) NH 3, ammonia water (aqueous ammonia), ammonia. The production of liquid ammonia fertilizers is much cheaper than solid salts.

contains 82.3%. It is the most concentrated ballastless fertilizer. Outwardly, a colorless liquid. The physicochemical properties of the fertilizer change depending on the ambient temperature. It is stored only in sealed vessels, where it is separated into liquid and gaseous phases under pressure.

During transportation, containers are not completely filled. The substance is neutral to cast iron, iron and steel, but strongly corrodes zinc, copper and their alloys.

- ammonia solution in water, low vapor pressure, does not destroy ferrous metals. Nitrogen is contained in the form of ammonia NH 3 and ammonium NH 4 OH. There is much more free ammonia than ammonium. This promotes nitrogen losses through volatilization. It is easier and safer to work with ammonia water than with anhydrous ammonia, but due to the low nitrogen content, its use is profitable only in farms located near the factories that produce it.

Ammonia

contain from 30 to 50% nitrogen. Outwardly, it is a light yellow or yellow liquid. Ammoniates are obtained by dissolving ammonium nitrate, ammonium and calcium nitrate, urea or ammonium nitrate and urea in aqueous ammonia.

Ammoniases differ in the concentration of total nitrogen, in the ratio of its forms and are varied in physical and chemical properties.

Ammoniases are corrosive to copper alloys. Ammoniates with ammonium nitrate also oxidize ferrous metals. Storage and transportation of ammonia is possible in containers made of aluminum, its alloys, stainless steel or in conventional steel tanks with anti-corrosion coating with epoxy resins. It is possible to use containers made of polymeric materials.

(CAS)

- a mixture of aqueous solutions of urea and ammonium nitrate. UAN have a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. Outwardly - transparent or yellowish liquids. By changing the ratio of the starting components, various grades of CAS are obtained.

Behavior in soil

All one-component nitrogen fertilizers are highly soluble in water.

Nitrate forms

they move along with the soil solution and are bound in the soil only by the biological type of absorption. Biological absorption is active only during the warm season. From late autumn to early spring, nitrates easily move in the soil and can be washed out under the conditions of a leaching water regime, which is especially typical for light soils.

In the warm season, ascending moisture flows prevail in the soils. Plants and microorganisms actively absorb nitrate nitrogen.

Ammonia and ammonia

forms in the soil are absorbed by the soil complex (PPC) and pass into an exchange-absorbed state. In this form, the mobility of nitrogen is lost, and it is not washed out. The exception is light soils with low absorption capacity.

Further nitrification processes promote the transformation of nitrogen into nitrate forms and its biological absorption by plants and soil microorganisms.

With urea

after its transformation under the influence of urobacteria into ammonium forms of nitrogen, the same thing happens.

Thus, nitrogen fertilizers initially or in the process of nitrification accumulate in the soil in a nitrate form, which subsequently undergoes denitrification. These processes occur in almost all types of soils, and it is with them that the main nitrogen losses are associated.

From an agronomic point of view, denitrification is a negative process. But on the environmental side, it plays a positive role, since it frees the soil from nitrates not used by plants and reduces their entry into wastewater and water bodies.

Application on various types of soils

The efficiency of nitrogen fertilization depends on the soil and climatic conditions of the region. The highest efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers is observed in areas of sufficient moisture.

Humus-poor sod-podzolic soils, gray forest soils, podzolized, leached chernozems

... The effect of nitrogen fertilizers is consistently positive. Moreover, with an increase in the degree of leaching of chernozems, the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers also increases.

Sandy loam, sandy soils

in the non-chernozem zone are experiencing an acute shortage of nitrogen, therefore high efficiency action of nitrogen fertilizers. However, under the conditions of the soil leaching regime, significant nitrogen losses are noted, and its application is carried out mainly in the spring.

Drained peat bog soils

... The effect of nitrogen fertilizers decreases, since phosphorus and potash fertilizers are at a minimum. However, in the first years of the development of peatlands in the central and northwestern regions of the non-chernozem zone, the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers also increases.

Podzolized and leached chernozems

of the right-bank forest-steppe of Ukraine show greater efficiency in the use of nitrogen fertilizers than the left-bank one.

Leached chernozems of the European part of Russia

... There is a lower efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers in the Volga region. In the Central Black Earth Zone and in the North Caucasus, it is slightly higher.

In the steppe zone

with an increase in climate aridity, the effect of nitrogen fertilizers decreases or becomes very unstable. But under irrigation conditions, the effectiveness of the action of nitrogen fertilizers increases and is even higher than that of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

Typical black soil

Moldova is distinguished by large yield increases.

Ordinary and carbonate chernozems

Moldova is characterized by a lower efficiency of single-component nitrogen fertilizers.

Ordinary chernozems

steppe regions of Ukraine... Nitrogen fertilizers show significant effectiveness, but the effect is also significantly weakened from west to east.

Ordinary and carbonate chernozems of the Kuban, foothills of the North Caucasus, northern Azov chernozems

are distinguished by a significant positive effect of nitrogen fertilizers.

Carbonate chernozems of the Rostov region, ordinary chernozems of the Volga region

... Fertilizer efficiency decreases.

Chestnut soils

... Under the best moisture conditions, the fertilizer has a good effect. In arid conditions, the effect of nitrogen fertilizers is weak.

Impact on crops

Nitrogen fertilizers play a leading role in increasing the productivity of various agricultural crops. This is due to the role of nitrogen as an important biological element that plays an exceptional role in plant life.

Adequate nitrogen supply enhances the synthesis of organic nitrogenous substances. Plants develop powerful leaves and stems, the intensity of the green color increases. Plants grow and bush well, the formation and development of fruiting organs is improved. These processes contribute to higher yields and protein content.

However, it must be borne in mind that a one-sided excess of nitrogen can delay the maturation of plants, contributing to the development of vegetative mass while reducing the development of grain, root crops or tubers. In flax, cereals and some other crops, excess nitrogen causes lodging (Photo) and deterioration in the quality of crop production.

Thus, the starch content in potato tubers may decrease. In sugar beet roots, sugar content decreases and the content of non-protein nitrogen increases.

With an excess of nitrogen fertilizers in feed and vegetables, nitrates, potentially hazardous to human and animal health, accumulate.

Obtaining nitrogen fertilizers

The production of nitrogen fertilizers is based on the production of synthetic ammonia from molecular nitrogen and hydrogen.

Nitrogen is formed by passing air through a generator with burning coke.

Sources of hydrogen are natural gas, petroleum or coke oven gases.

Ammonia is formed from a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen (ratio 1: 3) at high temperature and pressure and in the presence of a catalyst:

N 2 + 3H 2 → 2NH 2

Synthetic ammonia is used for the production of ammonium nitrogen fertilizers and nitric acid, which is used to obtain ammonium-nitrate and nitrate fertilizers.

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Yagodin B.A., Zhukov Yu.P., Kobzarenko V.I. Agrochemistry / Edited by B.A. Yagodina .- M .: Kolos, 2002 .- 584 p .: silt (Textbooks and tutorials For university students).

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It is no secret that even fertile soils cease to produce crops over time, since they are depleted. One of the elements, the lack of which negatively affects the development of plants, is nitrogen. It is an important component of amino acids, which are the basis of protein tissues. Lack of it leads to a slowed down development of leaves, their yellowing and death. The problem of deficiency of this element is solved by adding organic or mineral nitrogen fertilizers to the fertile soil layer.

Why do plants need nitrogen

The Earth's atmosphere is 70% gaseous nitrogen, but its content in the soil is quite small. And in the form of dissolved salts that can be absorbed by the plant, the soil contains no more than 1% of nitrogen substances. Mineralization of nitrogen, that is, its transformation into compounds assimilated by plants, occurs very slowly, therefore, in sufficient quantities it can accumulate only on virgin lands.

Not all plant cells need this trace element for normal life. For example, in the most common substance - fiber - it is absent at all. But it is part of all nucleic acids, amino acids and proteins consisting of them.

Nitrogen compounds are in the composition of chlorophyll, and without it, the process of photosynthesis is impossible. It is included in the structure of enzymes, alkaloids and many other substances that the plant synthesizes.

Throughout the life of the plant, nitrogen constantly circulates through it. At first, its greatest concentration is observed in young shoots. Gradually, it moves from old leaves to newly emerging young ones. As the flower ripens and the fruit sets, nitrogen binds to protein compounds and begins to accumulate in them. If the plant does not receive enough nitrogen from the soil, it does not develop fully, its foliage is weak and not green enough.

An excess of nitrogen leads to the fact that it accumulates in all parts of the plant, giving lush green growth, but at the same time the ripening of the fruits is greatly delayed.

Fertilizing the soil

Almost all plants respond positively to the introduction of nitrogen-containing fertilizers into the soil. They perceive it most favorably:

• tomatoes;
• cucumbers;
• potato;
• root crops (beets, radish).

The main types of fertilizers and their classification

Such fertilizer also has a good effect on fruit shrubs, garden strawberries, and grapes. Legumes are less sensitive to nitrogen fertilizers:

• peas;
• beans.

This is due to the fact that members of the legume family are able to capture atmospheric nitrogen and accumulate it in root tubers. In the future, the plant uses it as a protein reserve for the formation and ripening of fruits. Legumes are believed to enrich the soil with nitrogen, but this is not the case. They only consume less of it from the soil, not so much depleting it.

To understand how much and what kind of nitrogen fertilizers should be applied to the soil, the amount is converted to pure nitrogen by percentage. For fruit trees and shrubs, as well as for potatoes, nitrogen is applied to 0.6-0.9 kg of nitrogen per 100 sq. m. For their feeding, the concentration can be reduced by three times. If top dressing is applied in the form of an aqueous solution, it is made in the proportion of 15-20 grams of nitrogen per bucket (10 liters) of water. Such microfertilization of the soil is made at the rate of 1 liter per 1 square meter.

Types of dressings

Mineral nitrogen-containing fertilizers, depending on the type of compounds included in its composition, can be briefly divided into three types: ammonia, nitrate and amide. There are also complex ammonium-nitrate types, for example, ammonium nitrate. The main types of ammonium fertilizers are ammonium salts, sulfates and chlorides. Nitrate fertilizers, in turn, include sodium and calcium nitrate. The main fertilizer of the amide type is carbamide (urea). They all differ in the percentage of nitrogen.

Garden compost container (composter) for summer cottages

Ammonium sulfate (NH4) 2SO4. Effective fertilizer, easily absorbed by the root system of plants. It retains well in the soil, so it can be applied in the fall. Slightly acidifies the earth, therefore it is recommended to use it together with chalk, dolomite flour or lime to neutralize it. Weakly absorbs water, because of this, it does not cake during long-term storage. Especially recommended for placing under potatoes.

Ammonium chloride NH4Cl is usually available as a fine, yellowish powder. The nitrogen content in it is 25%. It holds well in the soil and is easily absorbed by plants. This fertilizer is spoiled only by the presence of chlorine in its composition. It is harmful to plants., therefore, ammonium chloride is introduced only in the fall, so that chlorine has time to wash out of the soil.

Sodium nitrate NaNO3 contains about 16 % nitrogen. It is an effective fertilizer in the form of transparent, readily soluble crystals. When introduced into the soil, it gives an alkaline reaction, therefore it is recommended for use on acidic soils. Due to its high solubility, it cannot be used in the fall. The introduction of saltpeter in the spring and as a top dressing in the summer avoids washing out by groundwater. It is recommended to apply it before sowing beets and other root crops.

The term "nitrogen-containing fertilizers" usually causes a negative reaction among summer residents who have little experience in growing garden and garden plants, as well as among supporters of organic farming. Few people think that "environmentally friendly" manure or bird droppings are organic nitrogen fertilizers, and their excess is harmful to human health no less than the so-called "chemistry". This article will address the questions of what nitrogen fertilizers are and what types of them are used in personal plots.

Nitrogen in plant life

The role of nitrogen and its derivatives in plant life can hardly be overestimated. Exchange processes at the cellular level occur in plants with the participation of protein, which is a building material for cell division, the synthesis of chlorophyll, trace elements, vitamins, etc.

Nitrogen is a chemical element that is an important component of vegetable protein. With its lack, all organic processes in cells slow down, plants stop developing, begin to ache and wither.

Nitrogen for all plants is as important and necessary as sunlight and water; without it, the process of photosynthesis is impossible.

Most of the nitrogen in a bound form (organic chemical compounds) is contained in the soil, rich in humus and waste products of worms (biohumus). The maximum concentration of nitrogen (up to 5%) is recorded in chernozem, the minimum - in sandy and sandy loam types of soil. Under natural conditions, the release of nitrogen in a form suitable for assimilation by plants occurs rather slowly, therefore, when growing crops, it is customary to use fertilizers containing nitrogen in a form that is easily absorbed by the roots. They contribute to:

• accelerated vegetation of crops;
• elimination of the deficiency of amino acids, vitamins and minerals;
• building up green mass of plants;
• easier assimilation of nutrients from the soil by plants;
• normalization of soil microflora;
• increasing disease resistance;
• increased productivity.

However, it should be remembered that not only a lack of nitrogen in plants is harmful, but also its excess, which contributes to the accumulation of nitrates in vegetables and fruits. An excess of nitrates consumed in food can cause significant harm to human health.

Signs of a lack and excess of nitrogen in plants

The use of fertilizers directly depends on the composition of the soil, its chemical composition, fertility, acidity, structure, etc. Depending on these factors, the required amount of fertilizer is determined and top dressing is carried out.

Lack of nitrogen

With an insufficient concentration of nitrogen, this immediately affects the appearance of the plants, their tone, namely:

• leaves become small;
• the green mass is thinning;
• foliage loses color, turns yellow;
• leaves, shoots and fruit ovaries die off en masse;
• plants stop growing;
• the emergence of young shoots stops.

When such symptoms appear, it is necessary to fertilize with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

Excess nitrogen

With an excessive nitrogen content, all the power of plants goes to building up green mass, they begin to fatten and the following signs appear:

• large, "fat" leaves;
• darkening of the green mass, its excessive juiciness;
• there is a delay in flowering;
• ovaries either do not appear, or there are very few of them;
• fruits and berries are small, inconspicuous.

The main types of nitrogen fertilizers

Nitrogen fertilizers are chemical compounds containing nitrogen molecules in various forms that are used in agriculture to improve crop growth and improve the quality and quantity of crops. Initially, their classification implies division into two large groups:

1. Mineral.
2. Organic.

Mineral nitrogen fertilizers and their types (by groups):

• nitrate;
• ammonium;
• complex (ammonium nitrate);
• amide;
• liquid form.

Each of the groups includes its own types of fertilizers, which have different names and special properties, the effect on plants and the procedure for feeding.

Nitrate group

This group includes fertilizers, which include the so-called nitrate nitrogen, its formula is written as follows: NO3. Nitrates are salts of nitric acid НNO3. Nitrate fertilizers include sodium nitrate, calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate.

The chemical formula - NaNO3, is sodium nitrate (another name is sodium nitrate), in which the concentration of nitrogen is up to 16%, and sodium is up to 26%. Outwardly, it resembles an ordinary coarse-crystalline salt, it is highly soluble in water. The disadvantage is that during long-term storage, sodium nitrate cakes, although it absorbs moisture from the air poorly.

Consuming the nitrate component of the fertilizer, the plants deoxidize the soil, reducing its acidity. Thus, sodium nitrate and its use on soils with an acidic reaction gives an additional deoxidizing effect.

The use of this species is especially effective when growing potatoes, beets, berry bushes, fruit crops etc.

Calcium nitrate

The chemical formula - Ca (NO3) 2, is calcium nitrate (another name is calcium nitrate), in which the nitrogen concentration reaches 13%. It also looks very similar to table salt, but is highly hygroscopic, absorbs moisture well from the air, and damp. Stored in a moisture-proof package.

Its granular form is produced, during production the granules are processed with special water-repellent additives. Calcium nitrate copes well with excessive soil acidity, additionally providing a structuring effect. Calcium improves the processes of nitrogen absorption, has a general strengthening effect on almost all crops.

Potassium nitrate

Chemical formula - KNO3, it is potassium nitrate, nitrogen concentration - 13%, potassium - 44%. Externally, it is a white powder with a crystalline particle structure. It is used throughout the season, and especially during the period of ovary formation, when plants need a large amount of potassium, which stimulates fruit formation.

Usually potassium nitrate is applied under fruit and berry crops such as strawberries, raspberries, beets, carrots, tomatoes, etc. For all types of greens, cabbage, potatoes, it is not used.

Ammonium group

Ammonium is a positively charged NH4 + ion. When interacting with sulfuric and hydrochloric acids ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride are formed, respectively.

Chemical formula - (NH4) 2SO4, contains up to 21% nitrogen and up to 24% sulfur. Outwardly, it is a crystallized salt that dissolves well in water. It absorbs water poorly, therefore it is stored for a long time. Produced as a by-product in the chemical industry. Usually it is white, but when received in the by-product coke industry it is colored in different colors by impurities (shades of gray, blue or red).

Chemical formula - NH4Cl, nitrogen content - 25%, chlorine - 67%. Another name is ammonium chloride. Received as an accompanying substance in the production of soda. Due to the high concentration of chlorine, it is not widely used. Many crops react negatively to the presence of chlorine in the soil.

It should be noted that fertilizers of the ammonium group, with regular use, significantly increase the acidity of the soil, since plants absorb mainly ammonium as a source of nitrogen, and acid residues accumulate in the soil.

To prevent soil acidification, lime, chalk or dolomite flour are added along with the fertilizer at the rate of 1.15 kg of deoxidizer per 1 kg of fertilizer.

Ammonium nitrate group

The main fertilizer. Chemical formula - NH4NO3, nitrogen content - 34%. Another name is ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate. It is the product of the reaction between ammonia and nitric acid. Appearance - white crystalline powder, readily soluble in water. Sometimes it is produced in granular form, since ordinary nitrate has an increased ability to absorb moisture and cakes strongly during storage. Granulation eliminates this disadvantage. It is stored as an explosive and flammable substance in compliance with safety standards, because it can detonate.

Due to the double nitrogen content in different forms is a versatile fertilizer that can be used for all types of agricultural plants on all soils. Both ammonium and nitrate forms of nitrogen are perfectly absorbed by all crops and do not change the chemical composition of the soil.

Saltpeter can be added for digging in the fall, in the spring when preparing the soil for planting, as well as in the planting holes directly when planting seedlings.

As a result, the shoots and deciduous mass are strengthened, and the endurance of crops increases. To prevent acidification of the earth, additives neutralizing acidity are introduced into the fertilizer - dolomite flour, chalk or lime.

Amide group

Urea

It is a prominent representative of the group, another name is urea. Chemical formula - CO (NH2) 2, nitrogen content - not less than 46%. Outwardly, it is a white salt with small crystals, quickly dissolves in water. It absorbs moisture moderately, with proper storage it practically does not cake. Also available in granular form.

By mechanism chemical attack on the soil, the amide type of fertilizer has a double effect - it temporarily alkalizes the soil, then acidifies it. It is considered one of the most effective fertilizers comparable to ammonium nitrate.

The main advantage of urea is that when it gets on the leaves, it does not cause burns, even at high concentrations, and is perfectly absorbed by the roots.

Liquid fertilizers

Liquid nitrogen fertilizers are distinguished by a higher degree of absorption by plants, a prolonged action and an even distribution in the soil. This type includes:

• anhydrous ammonia;
• ammonia water;
• ammonia.

Liquid ammonia. Chemical formula - NH3, nitrogen content - 82%. It is produced by liquefying its gaseous form under pressure. Outwardly, it is a colorless liquid, with a pungent odor, and evaporates easily. Stored and transported in thick-walled steel containers.

Ammonia water. Chemical formula - NH4OH. In fact, it is a 22-25% ammonia solution, colorless, with a pungent odor. It is transported in sealed containers under low pressure, easily evaporates in air. More suitable for use for feeding than anhydrous ammonia, but its main disadvantage is the low concentration of nitrogen.

UAN - urea-ammonia mixture. These are ammonium nitrate and urea (urea) dissolved in water. The nitrogen content is from 28 to 32%. The cost of these types is much lower, since there are no expensive procedures for evaporation, granulation, etc. The solutions contain almost no ammonia, so they can be freely transported and applied to plants by spraying or watering. They are widespread due to their relatively low cost, ease of transportation and storage, and versatility of use.

Ammonia. Chemical composition- dissolved in ammonia ammonium and calcium nitrate, urea, etc. The nitrogen concentration is 30-50%. In terms of the effectiveness of the action, they are comparable to solid forms, but a significant drawback is the difficulty of transportation and storage - in sealed low-pressure aluminum containers.

Organic fertilizers

Various types of organic matter also contain nitrogen, which is used for plant nutrition. Its concentrations are low, for example:

• manure - 0.1-1%;
• bird droppings - 1-1.25%;
• compost based on peat and food waste - up to 1.5%;
• green mass of plants - 1-1.2%;
• sludge mass - 1.7-2.5%.

Experts believe that the use of organic matter alone on a personal plot does not give desired effect, and sometimes it can harm the composition of the soil. Therefore, it is preferable to use all types of nitrogen fertilizers.

How to use nitrogen fertilizers

It should be remembered that these are chemically active substances that can cause severe poisoning if they enter the human body. That is why you should strictly adhere to the recommendations for dosage and frequency of top dressing.

Each package contains full information and instructions for use, they must be carefully studied before processing the beds.

When working with chemicals, you must use personal protective equipment - gloves, goggles and suits to protect the skin and mucous membranes. When working with liquid forms of fertilizers, you must use a mask or respirator to protect respiratory tract.

Particular attention should be paid to the storage of fertilizers and in no case should they be used after the expiration of the guaranteed shelf life and expiration date. Subject to all conditions, there will be no unpleasant consequences from the use of nitrogen fertilizers.

Thus, nitrogen fertilizers and their application on a personal plot can multiply the yield of crops, increase their resistance to diseases and pests, as well as restore the structure and fertility of the soil.