Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer

In the field of agriculture, fertilizers are used for improving the growth of plants. Fertilizers contain essential nutrients for plants and hence, they grow healthy and disease free. There are various types of fertilizers that are available in soluble, dry and time-release forms. Ammonium nitrate is one of such fertilizers that are used for providing adequate levels of nitrogen to certain plants. However, using and purchasing ammonium nitrate is getting difficult day by day, owing to its unethical usages that some antisocial entities do. Read the following article to know about the advantages and disadvantages of ammonium nitrate.

Ammonium Nitrate Uses

Before finding out more about its disadvantages, let's get to know more about the fertilizer ingredients and the formula of ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is a chemical compound made of ammonia and nitrogen. Ammonium nitrate is a high nitrogen fertilizer and is used as an oxidizing agent. When stored at normal room temperature, ammonium nitrate is a white crystalline solid. Apart from being used as a common inorganic fertilizer, ammonium nitrate is also used in instant cold packs. Ammonium nitrate is also used as hydrating salt in many endothermic processes. All in all, one can say that there are only two most important uses of ammonium nitrate - one is as fertilizer, while the other is as a powerful explosive. It is the later use of ammonium nitrate that has created complications for farmers and farm owners. The following section of the article will deal with the complications, restrictions and disadvantages of ammonium nitrate.

Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer: Disadvantages

As I said earlier, ammonium nitrate is a strong and explosive agent. In fact it is one of the largest industrial explosive manufactured in the US. Ammonium nitrate is used in the fields of quarrying and mining. This explosive is used by mixing it with several oxidizers and fuels, that are actually non-explosive. Ammonium nitrate is one of the cheapest crop nourishing fertilizer types and hence, it is easily available in the markets and agricultural stores too. It is the reason why this 'explosive' is easily available for antisocial entities and they can use it the way they want and disturb the social strata. Ammonium nitrate is commonly used in many terrorist attacks for making detonators and other mass destructive weapons.

Recent incidences of explosions in various countries like Germany, France, Belgium, USA and Afghanistan are proofs of the ill effects of this type of fertilizer. It is the reason why governments of many countries have imposed ban on the sale and purchase of ammonium nitrate. This might make a common farmers wonder, where to where to buy this fertilizer for their farms. Well, they can easily purchase ammonium nitrate in the regular stores from where they purchase seeds and other gardening tools. However, the amount of ammonium nitrate that they want to buy is strictly monitored and noted by the store officials. One cannot do bulk purchase of ammonium nitrate, unless he has a government recognized license of doing so.

Apart from being used in suicide bombing by antisocial entities and terrorists, there is always a hidden danger of ammonium nitrate decomposition. If it comes in contact with fire or high temperature level, it can explode on its own. Although decomposition point of ammonium nitrate is 400 degree Fahrenheit, it can significantly lower when it comes in contact with organic and/or inorganic impurities. Hence, storing excessive ammonium nitrate can also cause problems regarding fire safety of the farmer as well as his farm. Due to this and various other reasons, countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan have imposed ban on the manufacture, sale and purchase of ammonium nitrate.

If you are one of such farmers who want to use this fertilizer and cannot find it in the nearest stores, then you should find an alternative in the form of inorganic fertilizer. That way, you will ensure total safety of you as well as the surroundings.