Ammonium sulfate
Ammonium Sulfate
Ammonium sulfate (pronunciation: /əˈmoʊniəm ˈsʌlfeɪt/) is an inorganic salt with a number of commercial uses. The most common use is as a soil fertilizer. It contains 21% nitrogen as ammonium cations, and 24% sulfur as sulfate anions.
Etymology
The term "Ammonium" is derived from Ammonia, which itself is named for the Ammon, an ancient Egyptian god. "Sulfate" is derived from the Latin word "sulfur", meaning "brimstone".
Uses
Ammonium sulfate is commonly used as a fertilizer for alkaline soils. In the soil, the ammonium ion is released and forms a small amount of acid, lowering the pH balance of the soil, while contributing essential nitrogen for plant growth.
It is also used as an agricultural spray adjuvant for water-soluble insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. There, it functions to bind iron and calcium cations that are present in both well water and plant cells.
Related Terms
See Also
- List of commonly used fertilizers
- Effects of different fertilizers on plant growth
- Soil pH and nutrient availability
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ammonium sulfate
- Wikipedia's article - Ammonium sulfate
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