Why Is Ammonia Required In Fertilisers?
Question:I was just wondering the rationale behind ammonia being in the composition of fertilisers. I understand that fertilisers provide plants with nitrogen which is essential for its growth, but why is it that ammonia is almost a necessity in every fertiliser? Are ammonium based fertilisers better than other fertilisers? Would really appreciate some help here =D
Answers:
Ammonia is chemically NH4 or 1 Nitrogen with 4 Hydrogens attached. This is the upper level chemical in the cycle known as the Nitrogen cycle. It then breaks down into nitrites and nitrates, progressively losing hydrogen atoms in the process.
Different plants utilize different forms of nitrogen compounds, by supplying it with the upper level the different plants can use the nitrogen compounds as they decompose into the respective "food".
*EDIT*
Ummm pilot, before you go spouting off corrections you need to read the question completely. Secondly, when trying to sound intellectually superior to someone else, please make sure you actually get your answer straight. It isn't ammonia nitrate, it is ammonium nitrate. However, the nitrate portion of the ammonium nitrate molecule does little to feed the plants as it's bound with oxygen in a very tight molecular bond. It is the additive of choice due to ease of production, stability, and ease of use.
Just thought you might like to know.
It's not ammonia - its ammonia nitrate and the plants benefit from the nitrogen.
maybe the question of required or just the easiest to incorporate or maybe the cheapest should be asked. Ammonia is cheap and easy to acquire and deploy as a nutrient in the farming industry. why expend more money and effort to go looking for exact things when a shotgun approach is all you need...
K.I.S.S keep it simple ______
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