Calcium Ammonium Nitrate: The Essential Guide for Agriculture

Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is a widely used nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture. It is a highly concentrated source of nitrogen, and it also contains significant amounts of calcium and ammonium. This combination of nutrients makes CAN an effective fertilizer for a wide range of crops.

Benefits of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate

CAN offers a number of benefits for farmers, including:

• High nitrogen content: CAN contains 20.5-21% nitrogen, making it a highly concentrated source of this essential nutrient. Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, and it helps to promote leaf and stem development, as well as grain production.
• Balanced nutrition: In addition to nitrogen, CAN also contains 15.5% calcium and 26% ammonium. Calcium is essential for plant cell wall development, and it helps to improve the strength and resilience of plants. Ammonium is a readily available form of nitrogen that plants can easily absorb.
• Improved soil health: CAN helps to improve soil health by increasing the microbial activity in the soil. This microbial activity helps to break down organic matter and release nutrients into the soil, which can benefit plants.
• Reduced leaching: CAN is less likely to leach out of the soil than other nitrogen fertilizers. This means that it is more efficient and less likely to pollute waterways.

How to Use Calcium Ammonium Nitrate

CAN can be applied to a variety of crops, including:

• Cereals: CAN is a good choice for cereals, such as wheat, barley, and oats. It provides the nitrogen that is essential for grain production, and it also helps to improve the strength and resilience of the plants.
• Corn: CAN can be used to fertilize corn, both before and after planting. It provides the nitrogen that is essential for leaf and stem development, as well as grain production.
• Soybeans: CAN is a good choice for soybeans, as it provides the nitrogen that is essential for nodulation and nitrogen fixation.
• Vegetables: CAN can be used to fertilize a wide range of vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. It provides the nitrogen that is essential for leaf and stem development, as well as fruit and vegetable production.

The rate of CAN application will vary depending on the crop, the soil type, and the climate. It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the specific crop and conditions.

Safety Precautions

CAN is a safe fertilizer when used according to the manufacturer's instructions. However, it is important to take the following safety precautions:

• Avoid contact with skin and eyes: CAN can irritate the skin and eyes. If contact occurs, rinse the affected area with plenty of water.
• Do not inhale: CAN dust can irritate the lungs. If you are exposed to CAN dust, move to a well-ventilated area.
• Store in a cool, dry place: CAN should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sources of heat and ignition.

Alternatives to Calcium Ammonium Nitrate

There are a number of other nitrogen fertilizers that are available, including:

• Urea: Urea is a synthetic nitrogen fertilizer that contains 46% nitrogen. It is a highly concentrated source of nitrogen, and it is less likely to leach out of the soil than other nitrogen fertilizers.
• Ammonium nitrate: Ammonium nitrate is a synthetic nitrogen fertilizer that contains 33.5% nitrogen. It is a good choice for crops that require a high nitrogen content, such as corn and soybeans.
• Potassium nitrate: Potassium nitrate is a natural fertilizer that contains 13% nitrogen and 46% potassium. It is a good choice for crops that require both nitrogen and potassium, such as potatoes and tomatoes.

The choice of which nitrogen fertilizer to use will depend on the specific crop, the soil type, and the climate. It is important to consult with a qualified agronomist to determine the best fertilizer for your specific needs.

Stories and What We Learn

Story 1:

A farmer was having trouble getting his corn crop to grow. The plants were stunted and yellow, and they were not producing any ears of corn. The farmer decided to try fertilizing his crop with CAN. After applying CAN, the corn plants began to grow vigorously and produce healthy ears of corn.

What we learn: CAN can be an effective fertilizer for corn. It can help to improve plant growth and yield.

Story 2:

A vegetable grower was having trouble with his tomato plants. The plants were wilting and the leaves were turning yellow. The grower decided to try fertilizing his plants with CAN. After applying CAN, the tomato plants began to recover and produce healthy fruit.

What we learn: CAN can be an effective fertilizer for tomatoes. It can help to improve plant growth and yield.

Story 3:

A farmer was having trouble with his soybeans. The plants were not nodulating properly, and they were not producing any nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The farmer decided to try fertilizing his crop with CAN. After applying CAN, the soybean plants began to nodulate properly and produce nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

What we learn: CAN can be an effective fertilizer for soybeans. It can help to improve plant growth and yield.

Tips and Tricks

• Use CAN as a pre-plant fertilizer: CAN can be applied to the soil before planting to help improve plant growth and yield.
• Side-dress CAN: CAN can be applied to the soil around plants after they have emerged. This can help to improve plant growth and yield.
• Fertigate with CAN: CAN can be applied to the soil through irrigation water. This can help to improve plant growth and yield.
• Use CAN in combination with other fertilizers: CAN can be used in combination with other fertilizers to provide a balanced diet for plants.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not over-apply CAN: Over-applying CAN can damage plants and reduce yields.
• Do not apply CAN to wet soil: CAN can leach out of wet soil, which can reduce its effectiveness.
• Do not apply CAN to frozen soil: CAN can damage frozen soil, which can reduce its effectiveness.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between CAN and urea?

CAN contains 20.5-21% nitrogen, while urea contains 46% nitrogen. CAN also contains calcium and ammonium, while urea does not.

2. What is the best way to apply CAN?

CAN can be applied to the soil before planting, side-dressed around plants after they have emerged, or fertigated through irrigation water.

3. What is the recommended rate of CAN application?

The recommended rate of CAN application will vary depending on the crop, the soil type, and the climate. It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the specific crop and conditions.

4. Is CAN safe to use?

CAN is a safe fertilizer when used according to the manufacturer's instructions. However, it is important to take the following safety precautions:

• Avoid contact with skin and eyes
• Do not inhale
• Store in a cool, dry place

5. What are the benefits of using CAN?

CAN offers a number of benefits for farmers, including:

• High nitrogen content
• Balanced nutrition
• Improved soil health
• Reduced leaching

6. Are there any alternatives to CAN?

There are a number of other nitrogen fertilizers that are available, including urea, ammonium nitrate, and potassium nitrate. The choice of which nitrogen fertilizer to use will depend on the specific crop, the soil type, and the climate.

7. How can I get more information about CAN?

You can get more information about CAN from the following sources:

• The Fertilizer Institute
• The National Fertilizer and Environmental Research Center
• Your local cooperative extension office

Tables

Table 1: Nutrient Content of CAN

Table 2: Recommended CAN Application Rates

Table 3: Benefits of CAN