Laboratory studies on dissolution of nitrogen fertilizers by humidity and precipitation. Issue 1 (15th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sigtryggsson, Christian; Hamnér, Karin; Kirchmann, Holger
• Is Part Of: Agricultural & environmental letters. Volume 5:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15
• Subjects: Agriculture -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Agriculture; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; 630
• DOI: 10.1002/ael2.20016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2471-9625

Abstract

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 °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.