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DAP:

This fertilizer contains 18% N and 46% P2O5 , It is a readily water soluble fertilizer and both nutrients in this source are in plant available form. The material is light brown, granular and free flowing. It leaves acidic effect in soil after nitrification of ammonium (NH4+). No deleterious impact on soil and crop has been reported due to its use. However, its direct contact with seed and germinating seedlings should be avoided as ammonia may cause injury.

These fertilizers are also called ammonium nitrate phosphates. In Pakistan, it is called nitrophos and contains 23% and 23% P2O5 . Half the N is in ammoniacal form and the other half is in nitrate form. The water solubility of phosphorus in 23-23-0 grade is normally more than 70 per cent

MAP:

Nutrients include P2O5 (52%) and ammoniacal nitrogen (11%). MAP is often used to add the required proportion of phosphate and nitrogen needed for farming clover, wheat and barley, especially in sandy soil. It is water soluble and temporarily lowers the soil pH to 3.5 in areas where MAP initially reacts with the soil.

NP:

In simple terms, nitrogen promotes plant growth. It is associated with leafy, vegetative growth. It’s part of every protein in the plant, so it’s required for virtually every process, from growing new leaves to defending against pests. Nitrogen is part of the chlorophyll molecule, which gives plants their green color and is involved in creating food for the plant through photosynthesis. Lack of nitrogen shows up as general yellowing (chlorosis) of the plant. Because nitrogen can move around in the plant, older growth often yellows more than the new growth. Phosphorus is involved in metabolic processes responsible for transferring energy from one point to another in the plant. It’s also critical in root development and flowering. Because phosphorus moves slowly through the soil, it’s important to work it into the soil, where it’s needed by the roots.  Potassium helps regulate plant metabolism and affects water pressure regulation inside and outside of plant cells. It is important for good rood development. For these reasons, potassium is critical to plant stress tolerance.

MOP:

Potassium chloride (commonly referred to as Muriate of Potash or MOP) is the most common potassium source used in agriculture, accounting for about 95% of all potash fertilisers used worldwide.

Its nutrient composition is approximately:

Potassium: 50%
Chloride: 46%

MOP has a high nutrient concentration and is therefore relatively price competitive with other forms of potassium.  The chloride content of MOP can also be beneficial where soil chloride is low. Recent research has shown that chloride improves yield by increasing disease resistance in crops.  In circumstances where soil or irrigation water chloride levels are very high, the addition of extra chloride with MOP can cause toxicity. However, this is unlikely to be a problem, except in very dry environments, since chloride is readily removed from the soil by leaching.

SOP:

Potassium sulfate (K2SO4) is also called sulphate of potash, arcanite, or archaically known as potash of sulfur) is a non-flammable white crystalline salt which is soluble in water. The chemical compound is commonly used in fertilizers, providing both potassium and sulfur.

The mineral form of potassium sulfate, arcanite, is relatively rare. Natural resources of potassium sulfate are minerals abundant in the Stassfurt salt. These are cocrystallizations of potassium sulfate and sulfates of magnesium calcium and sodium.

Relevant minerals are:

  • Kainite, MgSO4KCl·H2O
  • Schönite, K2SO4MgSO4·6H2O
  • Leonite, K2SO4MgSO4·4H2O
  • Langbeinite, K2Mg2(SO4)3
  • Glaserite, K3Na(SO4)2
  • Polyhalite, K2SO4MgSO4·2CaSO4·2H2O

From some of these minerals, like kainite, the potassium sulfate can be separated, because the corresponding salt is less soluble in water.

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