Abstract

Aiming at improving fertilizer management by assessing fertilizer dissolution, we compared the hygroscopicity of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), ammonium nitrate (NS 27-4), and nitrate compounds (laboratory grade). Dissolution of N fertilizers was also studied under simulated rain conditions. All compounds were highly hygroscopic, dissolving within 24 h at 90-99% relative humidity and 25 degrees C. Addition of 2 mm rain to fertilizer granules (3-4.5 mm diam.) was sufficient to dissolve 50% of the compounds. Dissolution rates by humidity or rain were not the limiting step for plant availability.

Published in

Agricultural & Environmental Letters
2020, volume: 5, number: 1, article number: e20016
Publisher: WILEY

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