Types of Nitrogen Fertilizers

1
Types of Nitrogen Fertilizers

• There are two main classifications of nitrogen
  fertilizers.
• Quickly available inorganic salts such as
  ammonium sulfate (NH4SO2) urea.
• Slowly available complex molecules such as
  sulfur-coated urea, manure, sewer sludge.

2
Nitrogen Salts

• Inorganic salts which dissolve easily in water.
• They are produced industrially using natural gas,
  atmospheric nitrogen, and minerals.

Examples Ammonium sulfate NH4SO2 Ammonium
nitrate (NH4NO3) Potassium nitrate(KNO3)
3
Complex Nitrogen Containing Compounds

• These fertilizers do not dissolve easily in
  water.
• Their nutrients are released slowly. This
  provides a more even supply of nutrients to
  plants.

Examples Urea, leguminous cover crops, and
manures.
4
Phosphorus Sources

• Rock phosphate a mined rock which is treated
  with acids to form chemical fertilizers.
• Slag by-product of steel production.
• Ammonium phosphate (NH4PO3) an inorganic salt
  made using rock phosphate.

5
Potassium Sources

• Potassium chloride or muriate of potash these
  are produced from processed potassium salts.
• Sulfate of potash potassium chloride combined
  with sulfuric acid.
• Potassium nitrate potassium chloride treated
  with nitric acid.