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Chemical Nitrogen In SoilYou will note that I almost invariably give technical names and discuss basic fertilizer materials rather than trade-named products. Every ingredient can be found in a variety of trade-named "plant foods." Fancy names and pretty pictures on the fertilizer bag won't feed your plants. Read the legally required label of contents on the bag or box of each brand of fertilizer in the store. Buying according to actual content of ingredients is the only sure way of getting what you want, and need - and pay for. Chemical Sources Of Nitrogen In Soil Ammo-Phos (ammonium phosphate): There are two commercial grades of this material. Grade A contains 11 per cent nitrogen and 48 per cent available phosphoric acid. Grade B contains 16 per cent nitrogen and 20 per cent phosphoric acid. Both are excellent sources of completely soluble nitrogen and phosphorus. Ammonium Phosphate: There are two grades: monoammonium phosphate contains 11 per cent nitrogen and 60 per cent phosphoric acid while diammonium phosphate analyzes at 23 per cent nitrogen and 53 per cent phosphoric acid. Both are completely soluble. Beware of using them on rhododendrons and other acid-loving plants, however, as they are quite alkaline in reaction. Ammonium Sulfate (sulfate of ammonia): Once the leading source of nitrogen in chemical fertilizers, it is still #1 for getting more nitrogen in soil on the home gardener's list. In the agricultural field its place is being taken over by liquid ammonia. Sulfate of ammonia contains about 20 per cent nitrogen. It can be applied dry but must be watered in immediately to avoid burning. It is much safer if first dissolved in water. Sodium Nitrate (nitrate of soda): This was one of the first chemicals used as a fertilizer. Vast deposits of sodium, combined with oxygen and nitrogen, were found in Chile, and were worked for fertilizer purposes during the nineteenth century. Because it was for many years the leading source of chemical nitrogen, it is firmly entrenched in the literature of gardening. It is often recommended out of habit when other materials would be safer and better for more nitrogen in soil. Sodium nitrate may have some use in strongly acid soils but will deflocculate clays and make them greasy if used too often. It is not an ideal source of nitrogen and other materials should be substituted if possible. Urea: Discovered originally in urine, this is now produced synthetically in large quantities. Urea is not a protein but because it contains a carbon particle, it is classed as an organic compound, to the consternation of organocultists. While not instantly available, urea goes through fewer stages to break down into nitrate form, hence starts feeding a little more rapidly than do organic products. Ureaform: This is a most unusual fertilizer material - it is best described as a nitrogen-bearing soft plastic material which breaks down slowly but uniformly when in contact with soil organisms and moisture. It is made by reacting urea and formaldehyde. It contains 38 per cent nitrogen, yet can be applied to grass without fear of burning. This is because ureaform gives off nitrogen so slowly that grass can absorb it about as fast as it is released. Enormous quantities have to be applied before a burn can be produced. Ureaforms combine the best features of chemical and organic plant foods. Their one drawback is the slowness with which they begin to feed. Chemical Nitrogen In Soil
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